House Announces Plan to Combat Rising Gas Prices

“Right now, if you asked most people, especially the ones in my district, they are not overly focused on the state budget, an education funding amendment, or even who is in or out of the Republican primary for president. Many of the people that I talk to are primarily concerned that the price of gas has reached nearly $4 a gallon. What the amendment we are bringing forward will do is take the surcharge funds for the remainder of the year and turn them into a 5 cent per gallon reduction in the gas tax. The surcharge was scheduled to disappear at the end of the fiscal year, so this gas tax cut will only last until the end of June, but we feel that the price of gas is spiking now and we are hopeful that by July, we’ll see gasoline drop back down to a more reasonable level. Whether it is this gas tax cut, or the elimination of the car registration surcharge, the House will continue to try to find ways to reduce the cost of driving to benefit the small businesses and working families of New Hampshire. We hope that the Senate and Governor will join us in offering this relief to the public,” said O’Brien.

“As a representative of a border community, I see firsthand how the New Hampshire Advantage helps our businesses and economy. If someone gases up their car in say Methuen, Lawrence or Haverhill at $3.95 a gallon when they could conceivably cross our border and take advantage of this decrease and pay as little as $3.70 a gallon in some places, that  would translate into a significant savings. Our hope is that this will ease the burden on our citizens and help economic activity as well, especially if we can get people from out of state to come over the border to buy gas over the next two months and, at the same time, purchase other items like food, lottery tickets, and alcohol.  My hope is this also sends a clear message to those who elected us that Republicans in Concord are doing everything we can to cut taxes and spending, drive the economy, and put more money back into the pockets of our working families,” said Bettencourt.

Rep. O’Brien, Hills. 4
Rep. Bettencourt, Rock. 4
Rep. Weyler, Rock. 8
Rep. Stepanek, Hills. 6
Rep. Renzullo, Hills. 27
April 21, 2011
2011-1519h
03/09



Amendment to SB 78-FN-A-LOCAL

Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:

AN ACT    reducing the rate of the road toll.

Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:

Road Toll; Rate Reduced.  For the period beginning on the effective date of this section and ending June 30, 2011, the road toll imposed pursuant to RSA 260:32 shall be $.13 per gallon.
Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

2011-1519h
AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill reduces the rate of the road toll from $.18 per gallon to $.13 per gallon through June 30, 2011.

“The taxpayers in New Hampshire know John Lynch’s strategies result in failure.  His strategy to spend as much taxpayer money as possible was rejected by voters in November.  Now that the stimulus money has dried up, his strategy is to offer over-inflated estimates and downshift budget costs onto the backs of the taxpayers to continue the Democrats out of control spending. “

“John Lynch's solution to solving the budget crisis is to spend even more money, politicize the budget, and point fingers at our state representatives who have put forth real solutions."  

"House Republicans proposed a responsible budget that cuts spending by 742 million while rejecting Lynch’s 150 million dollars in downshifting costs.  Governor Lynch, where is the money going to come from?  You either have to increase taxes or borrow it from our children and grandchildren.  Neither of those are acceptable solutions.”