The rising cost of diesel increases prices on everyday goods driving inflation even higher. On July 1^st, taxes on diesel fuel are scheduled to increase by 23% or 9.1 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax to 49.2 cents, up from 40.1 cents. The tax on diesel includes a flat 29 cent per gallon rate and a variable tax set each year on July 1^st that is calculated by multiplying the prior year's average wholesale price by 8.1%.

In March, House and Senate Republicans initiated the call for tax relief to ease prices at the pump - we were able to reach a compromise with our colleagues and the governor to suspend the 25 cent per gallon excise tax on gasoline. Since then, we have continued to call for relief for over-taxed citizens.