Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
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9/20/05-With the price at the pump in Florida pushing $3 per gallon, state Democrats are proposing a little relief for truckers and other drivers.
Democrats in the state’s Senate are calling on Gov. Jeb Bush to take action by executive order instead of waiting for a possible special legislative session in October. They say he has the power to take immediate action to temporarily cut the state’s tax on diesel fuel and gasoline.
Bush said cutting taxes is one of the few actions he can’t do by himself and instead will consult with Republican leaders in the Legislature about tax cuts.
The governor has pledged to support a fuel tax cut if lawmakers can reach agreement on the issue.
The Legislature last year approved a one-month, 8 cents per gallon reprieve in the state’s gasoline tax during August. The tax break cost the state nearly $60 million in lost revenues, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
The Democratic proposal would temporarily suspend the state’s 21-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and 29-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel. It doesn’t address the status of IFTA requirements for miles driven in Florida.
