Illinois won't repeal gas tax for summer, Cross says long-term needs must be addressed
Prices at the pump have declined in the state, but a proposed repeal of Illinois' gas tax for the summer apparently isn't moving forward.
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Good news at the gas pumps...prices have gone down an average of seven cents.
There had been talk of the state of Illinois repealing part of its gas tax during the summer months to give us a break.
Here's a followup to that story: We spoke with House Minority leader Tom Cross. He told KHQA the Speaker of the House won't call that bill to the floor.
Some were concerned if the tax was repealed, it would cost the state too much money and leave other programs in the red.
Cross says that's not the case.
It's estimated the state would lose $100 million if the tax went away for three months.
Cross told me the state could absorb that cost no problem; he says this could be a short term fix, but what's needed is a long term solution.
"We don't look long term as a state or as a country,'' Cross said. "And we need to start doing that. We can't just react when we see gas prices go up. We need to do something about it, but think long term.''
Cross thinks one long term solution is ethanol and other forms of fuel
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