FORT MYERS =97 If you've driven by a gas station in the past two days,
you've likely noticed the price drop. The state's month long gas tax
holiday went into effect Sunday. Enjoy it while you can, because you
might end up paying for it down the road.
Total savings per gallon adds up to 8-cents, and that tax cut will
remain in effect until the end of August.
Chuck DeBono says he wants to thank the legislators who decided to give
Floridians the month-long break because it's meant more business for his
gas station.
"We've seen some new faces," DeBono said.
Phil Balco was one of them.
"It's good =96 very much needed," Balco said.
But some say you shouldn't let too much of a good thing cloud reality.
The tax cut is good news for consumers who may save some money each time
they fill up, but it could end up costing the state million and millions
of dollars in revenue.
"It can effect us a number of ways," said Lee County commission Bob
Janes.
Janes says money given back to the taxpayers might have to be made up
somewhere down the line.
"The net savings to the taxpayer may not be realized," he said. "This
was a generous gesture on the part of the legislature to the citizens of
Florida. The downside is=85 [it could] result in increased prices in the
future."
Janes says critical road projects could suffer.
"We are talking about U.S. 41, I-75," Janes said. "We need to make sure
we can garner every dime we can for road building."
Lee County commission District 4 candidate Clyde Bowles disagrees and
thinks the tax relief takes precedent.
"I'm pleased someone has made the decision to do that. Families...pay
huge money on gas," Bowles said.
DeBono agrees.
"I think it's a great idea. I just wish it was permanent," he said.
The Florida Department of Transportation said Monday that they don't
anticipate any delays in projects due to the tax cuts
.
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