10/22/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2026
Rep Vaughn supports 60-day gas tax holiday to offset increased costs at the pump
House GOP Caucus united in seeking relief for MA residents
BOSTON – In an effort to provide temporary relief at the pump for Massachusetts residents, State Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham) recently joined with the entire House Republican Caucus to support the proposed implementation of a two-month gas tax holiday, which is projected to save drivers approximately $120 million.
Filed by State Representative Todd Smola (R-Warren) and co-sponsored by all 25 House Republicans, the pro-consumer cost-saving proposal was offered as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 closeout supplemental budget on October 21. Although it drew the full support of the House GOP Caucus, the amendment received only minimal support from Democrats, despite the fact that the amendment language was identical to a proposal offered by Governor Maura Healey just last month in her closeout budget. The final vote was 30-121.
Representative Vaughn said the gas tax amendment would have temporarily eliminated the 24 cents per gallon tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, providing immediate savings to consumers over a 60-day period at a time when the average price of gasoline in Massachusetts is about $4.28 per gallon for regular unleaded and over $6 a gallon for diesel. Because the gas tax funds critical transportation infrastructure projects throughout the Commonwealth, the amendment also included language to backfill any lost revenues by authorizing the transfer of an equivalent amount of Fair Share surtax monies from the state’s Education and Transportation Fund to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.
This is not the first time the House Republican Caucus has tried to provide relief to consumers at the gas pump. Representative Vaughn noted that in April, State Representative Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget to suspend the gas tax until the average retail price per gallon falls below $2.50. That amendment was rejected on a party-line vote of 25-132.
Representative Vaughn cited a new UMass poll which shows that 69% of Massachusetts residents support suspending the state gas tax. He expressed disappointment that the House could not agree with the caucus proposal to move ahead with the tax holiday and prioritize providing financial relief to residents to help them make ends meet.
During the closeout supplemental budget debate, the House Republican Caucus also rallied behind an amendment filed by Second Assistant Minority Leader Paul K. Frost (R-Auburn) calling for the creation of a tax deduction to assist ratepayers with their home heating oil, natural gas and propane bills. This amendment failed on a voice vote.
Under this proposal, taxpayers would be able to secure a deduction in tax year 2026 to offset the cost of home heating oil and propane purchased between January 1, 2026 and April 30, 2028 when the per gallon cost exceeds $3, up to a maximum deduction of $1,600. If a taxpayer does not take the full deduction in tax year 2026, they can claim the remainder in tax years 2027 or 2028.
Representative Vaughn noted that the amendment would also have allowed natural gas customers to deduct the difference in total energy costs accrued in 2026 over what they paid in 2025, up to the maximum of $1,600. Taxpayers who do not take the full deduction in tax year 2026 would have been able to claim the remaining deduction in tax years 2027 or 2028.
The Fiscal Year 2026 closeout supplemental budget now moves to the Senate for its consideration.
