STATEMENT: Hinojosa Calls on Abbott to Waive Tax on Diesel in the Face of Skyrocketing Prices 

Austin, TX – With diesel hitting record highs in Texas, in many places jumping to $6, Democratic nominee for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa released the following statement reiterating her call on Greg Abbott to use his emergency powers to immediately suspend the state gas tax, which costs working Texans roughly $8 million per day.

“After months of ignoring our calls to suspend the gas tax, Greg Abbott has made it clear that he won’t lift a finger to help working Texans. With diesel prices hitting record highs and the affordability crisis becoming dire for too many working Texans, the least he can do is waive the tax on diesel. 

“Instead of giving Texans relief at the pump by suspending the state gas tax right now, Abbott is trying to gaslight people into doubting what they’re seeing with their own eyes every day. Abbott can use his authority to take action immediately. As governor, I’d issue an executive order declaring an affordability state of emergency so we can lower costs for working families on Day One.”

Hinojosa first called on Abbott in April to suspend Texas’ state gas tax. Since then, gas prices have continued to climb – but time and time again, Greg Abbott has denied what people are seeing at the pump, saying gas will reach $2 by the end of summer – less than a week from now. Today, the average price of regular gas in Texas is now $3.87 per gallon, more than $1.10 higher than this time last year, while diesel has risen to a record $5.91 per gallon on average, more than $2.70 higher than a year ago – in many places jumping to $6.

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