By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – State Sen. Dr. Tom Sherman, D-Rye, said he, too, supports a gas tax holiday for three months in New Hampshire for everybody at the pump, only he proposes it be 11.25 cents a gallon.
Gov. Chris Sununu said Wednesday he would like it to be a 22 cent a gallon gas tax holiday.
Sherman who has announced his candidacy to run for governor as a Democrat said he would like the gas tax holiday to begin as soon as possible. “People need it now,” Sherman said.
Sherman wants to make sure that the tax break goes to the consumer not the vendors to use as additional profit.
Sherman said the idea was first floated by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. at the federal level.
Sununu said the state has the money to do it, but the legislature will have to pass legislation for it to happen.
“I’m hoping they will take it up,” Sununu said. “I think it would be a huge win. I think there is an expectation on the state level to do it. We have a very strong economy, we have surpluses, we have a great rainy-day fund.”
The House Finance Committee is considering an amendment on a bill that would give all owners of New Hampshire registered vehicles a $25 rebate check in the mail to help with rising gas prices under a non-germane amendment to House Bill 1661.
It would have to be approved by the House and the Senate and signed by the governor to go into effect.