Healey proposes two-month gas tax pause as prices climb ahead of election
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Gov. Maura Healey wants lawmakers to suspend the state's 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax for two months, saying it's relief for drivers and truckers as fuel costs climb.
Why it matters: The eight-week time period would give drivers some savings at the pump at the same time they'll be going to the polls to determine if Healey deserves a second term.
- Healey's move comes days after her Republican rival for governor, Mike Minogue, called for a similar suspension of the tax.
The intrigue: Healey now faces criticism from both the right and within her own party's legislative leaders over the timing and approach.
- When it was solely Minogue's idea, House Speaker Ron Mariano called a gas tax suspension "fiscally irresponsible" given the war's uncertain end.
- Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement Tuesday she's open to reviewing Healey's plan.
Minogue, who proposed his own gas tax holiday last week, argued outside the State House Tuesday that Healey's plan is just an election season ploy instead of more permanent relief.
- Minogue said he'd offset lost revenue by finding undiscovered fraud and waste within the state budget.
Between the lines: There is enough difference in Healey's temporary (and paid for) plan vs. Minogue's more permanent relief play (with uncertain funding) to give Democrats some room to maneuver.
- They could argue the governor's plan is more fiscally sound than the Republican's, which would rely on uncovering savings from fraud and abuse.
By the numbers: Massachusetts' average gas price is around $4.40–$4.41/gallon and diesel is $6.39–$6.40/gallon, per the governor's office.
- They say that's up from around $3.00 (gas) and $4.00 (diesel) in February 2026, before the Iran war began.
- Healey estimates the two-month pause would cost the state roughly $120 million. She'd fund it with surplus Fair Share revenue coming in from the state's surtax on high incomes.
State of play: Healey blamed President Trump's handling of the Iran war for the price surge.
- Her office says the plan would require retailers to pass savings directly to consumers and would protect station owners from absorbing losses on fuel already purchased.
What's next: Healey plans to include the suspension in an upcoming closeout supplemental budget.
- Mariano will have to reverse course if the plan stands a chance to pass the Democrat-dominated House.