Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey held a press conference Tuesday morning to announce a plan to help people “pay less at the pump.”

 

Healey announced she’s proposing a two-month suspension of the state’s gas tax.

 

“Look, I don’t control the price of gas, but as governor, here’s what I can do: I’m filing legislation to suspend the Massachusetts gas tax for two months,” she said. “That means we’re going to cut gas prices by 24 cents a gallon statewide just one week after the legislature signs my proposal.”

 

Healey blamed rising costs on President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war in Iran, saying it has not only affected gas prices, but also the price of everyday goods like groceries.

 

The average price of gas in Massachusetts is currently $4.40 per gallon, according to AAA, while the national average is slightly higher at $4.48.

 

Citing past skepticism about suspending the gas tax, Healey said she sought to make sure that people who live and work in Massachusetts actually reap the benefit.

 

“Our team worked hard to craft legislation that tackles that concern head on,” Healey added. “It guarantees, it makes sure that those savings will get passed on to actual drivers, to customers.”

 

Healey also assured the proposal will not cause the state fiscal harm, nor will it jeopardize funding for transportation and unfractured projects. She said the state has surplus Fair Share revenue that has come in and is expected to continue to come in over the next several months.

 

Healey is up for reelection this fall. Her opponent, Republican Mike Minogue, recently started airing an ad proposing a gas tax holiday “until prices stabilize.”

 

Minogue said he wants to suspend the gas tax whenever prices climb above $4 a gallon and work toward eliminating the levy altogether.

 

He also questioned Healey’s timing, suggesting the two-month time frame is to get her through Election Day and noting how she didn’t enact a similar plan when gas prices surged under the Biden administration.

 

“Maura Healey could have acted weeks ago. She didn’t. That’s why I stepped up and demanded a gas tax holiday,” Minogue said in a statement Tuesday. “I hope they table everything else and get this done immediately. We should see this gas tax suspension go into effect today. If not, then we have to ask why the politicians are slow-walking it.”

 

See more at wpri.com.