By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – With her signature, Gov. Kelly Ayotte could bring the price of gas at New Hampshire pumps down by 23.7 cents a gallon.
She said Wednesday that she is not willing to offer a tax holiday, but is watching the price at the pump.
AAA reports the national average for gas Friday is at $4.55 with New Hampshire’s average for regular gas at $4.53 though it varies slightly by region. A link to that map is here https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=NH
This time in 2022, New Hampshire drivers were paying about $2.90 a gallon.
The price went up by 30 cents in a week from $4.25 a week ago.
The Republican governor said New Hampshire has the lowest gas tax in the region.
According to the Tax Foundation.org, Maine is charging 31 cents a gallon, Massachusetts levies a 27 cent gas tax and Vermont is charging 31 cents. On Monday, the Governor’s Conference on Tourism was held in Concord and officials from around the state were reportedly talking about gas prices.
There is also a federal gas tax as well which is at 18.4 cents a gallon.
Concern is being expressed that a possible $5 a gallon gas this spring and summer impact travel in the granite state which is a crucial part of the state’s economy.
The optimists are saying people who avoid increasingly expensive air travel will vacation nearby in a vehicle while others are saying the high price of gas might be a factor to not vacation at all or for shorter periods.
At least three states – none in New England – are taking a gas tax holiday as prices have soared due to the U.S. and Israeli war in Iran. They are Georgia, Utah and Indiana.
“We have looked at any steps we can take to make sure we are reducing costs on people, but at this point we won’t take that step but I will continue to monitor the situation,” Ayotte said, Wednesday when she met in her office with the press.
“My foremost concern, of course, is energy costs for granite staters. So we will take a look at it as we see where prices are and the impact on travel and most importantly, people getting to work,” Ayotte said.
New Hampshire uses the collected funds to pay for state and local road maintenance, bridge repairs and transportation related debt.
All users pay the tax with the exception of government vehicles. Those with off road vehicles can apply for a refund.
The amount collected has been impacted by a number of issues including the fact there are more fuel efficient vehicles and electric cars and the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, whose north country district includes many vacation areas in the state, said he agrees with the governor’s tactics.
“I think the governor has it right, time to monitor the gas price situation and make appropriate adjustments as necessary. I do support a gradual increase on the EZPASS toll for out of state visitors to help pay for our toll roads, just like other states do to us,” he said, noting a bill in the legislature that looks to double the tolls for those who don’t have a NH E-Z pass, though that may go to a study committee or be killed.
The governor has said she does not support increasing tolls.