10/12/05-Sen. Phil Berger, R-Eden, is calling for a special legislative session to reduce the state’ per gallon tax on motor fuels.
Berger told The Charlotte Observer he wants legislators to approve a 2.5-cent-per-gallon break on gasoline and diesel fuel.
If approved, it would trim the state’s 27.1-cent-per-gallon tax to 24.6 cents – the level charged at the end of 2004.
Berger also wants to cap the fuel tax that changes every six months based on the average wholesale prices.
Gov. Mike Easley already has said he has no plans to roll back North Carolina’s fuel taxes.
Easley said North Carolina relies too heavily on the dollars generated for road and bridgework to suspend it temporarily.
As an alternative, the governor has joined other Democratic governors who are calling on the federal government to solve the problem of higher fuel prices.
Easley said a monthlong moratorium in North Carolina would cost $150 million, The AP reported. He said it would be an unwise move given that the state faces a backlog of highway projects and skyrocketing roadwork costs.

9/22/05-Gov. Mike Easley said Wednesday, Sept. 21, he has no plans to roll back North Carolina’s motor fuel taxes to ease the pain at the pump.
Easley said North Carolina relies too heavily on the dollars generated for road and bridgework by the state’s 27.1-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and diesel fuel to suspend it temporarily.
As an alternative, the governor joined other Democratic governors who are calling on the federal government to solve the problem of higher fuel prices.
Easley said a monthlong moratorium in North Carolina would cost $150 million, The AP reported. He said it would be an unwise move given that the state faces a backlog of highway projects and skyrocketing roadwork costs.