‘Election Day gimmick’? As NC lawmakers eye gas tax cut, Stein questions timing

State lawmakers return to Raleigh Wednesday for a special session to address high gas and diesel prices.

It’s unusual for legislators to summon themselves back to Raleigh so close to an upcoming election. So it was surprising to many when House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate Leader Phil Berger announced the session on social media Saturday. They offered few specifics, only calling for “real relief” for families.

Gov. Josh Stein said Tuesday that, while he’s pleased there is an acknowledgement by Republicans that North Carolina families are struggling, the timing is suspect.

“Clearly, their poll numbers are really bad because they’re coming back right before the election to take this action to help themselves,” Stein said. “It’s as if they’re taking this emergency action to deal with what must be a polling emergency.”

Stein said there’s no doubt that the war against Iran has led to a dramatic uptick in the price of gas and diesel since February. But, he added, perhaps lawmakers should be open to addressing other pocketbook concerns.

“I’ve asked them to join me in dealing with affordability — add a Working Families Tax Cut and add a child tax credit. They did not include those things [in the budget],” said Stein. “Instead, they continue to have tax giveaways to big corporations, to shareholders, many of whom don’t even live in North Carolina.”

Several states have suspended gas taxes in recent weeks ahead of the midterms.

“What I hope is that this isn’t just an Election Day gimmick,” said Stein.

The governor’s comments came at a celebration of new affordable housing in downtown Raleigh.

Last week, Stein directed the North Carolina Department of Revenue to allow highway use of red-dyed diesel fuel penalty-free through the end of the year. Farmers have stores of non-taxed dyed diesel on hand for off-road use. The governor’s office said allowing on-road use during this year’s harvest will save the state’s agricultural producers money.

By lowering costs for farmers, Stein is hopeful that it lowers the pressure on grocery costs for everyone.

With election pressure mounting, states move to suspend fuel taxes

Whatever the legislature approves this week, Stein said there must be balance. He said the state cannot allow its roadways and infrastructure to crumble.

“It’s critical that whatever the legislature does, they not only provide relief to people at the pump, but that they protect the Department of Transportation’s highway work, because we’ve got to repair our roads,” said Stein. “We have to build new roads. We are a growing state.”

As for whether Stein would sign a bill to suspend North Carolina’s gas tax that’s currently 41 cents per gallon, the governor wasn’t tipping his hand on Tuesday.

“We’ll have to see how they’ve drafted it,” he said.