JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council member Leanna Cumber has filed emergency legislation to repeal the gas tax increase that was passed earlier this year.
Council members approved the raise from 6 cents to 12 cents in May in order to eventually raise $1 billion for infrastructure projects across the city.
They include the septic tank phase out, improvements to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Skyway and the Emerald Trail project.
Right now, the tax is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2022.
Legislation will be introduced on December 14 as an in/out vote meaning it will need two separate super majority approvals to pass. That also means Duval special election on Dec. 7 takes on extra significance if a candidate can get 50% plus one of the vote
— Ben Becker (@BenBeckerANjax) November 24, 2021
If the repeal is approved, the tax would only last one year and then it would stop.
Other leaders have been announcing measures in an effort to lower prices at the pump.
Governor Ron DeSantis stopped in Jacksonville on Monday at a Daily’s on Kernan Boulevard South, to share his plan to shave 25 cents off a gallon.
According to the governor, that would break down to about $200 in savings for the average family in Florida.
However, this idea needs to be passed by the Florida Legislature in the next legislative session — which begins next year, in 2022.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced the United States will release 50 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserve in an effort to lower energy costs.
In May, Cumber along with Danny Becton, Randy DeFoor, Rory Diamond
— Ben Becker (@BenBeckerANjax) November 24, 2021
and Al Ferraro voted against the gas tax. It remains to be seen if the votes are there on council to get a super majority
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