Opinion: Beware of a gas tax holiday’s unintended consequences

Gasoline prices are displayed at a gas station in Vernon Hills, Ill., Friday, April 1, 2022.

Gasoline costs are displayed at a fuel station in Vernon Hills, In poor health., Friday, April 1, 2022.

Nam Y. Huh, Related Press

Tax holidays on federal, state, and native gas taxes are being thought of and adopted by many governments. Whereas I in lots of instances help decrease taxes, the doable unintended results have to be stored in thoughts.

Primary economics tells us reducing the value of a fascinating factor normally results in higher consumption of it. We should always anticipate the discount in gas taxes will enhance the demand on the pump. That can cut back the availability, which in flip will probably result in a rise within the base value. It doubtlessly will negate the specified impact of the tax vacation.

Regardless, the most effective long-term answer to moderating the value is to extend the availability of gas, ideally from U.S. sources.

Bruce Cole

Hurricane

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