Gas Rebates – The idea of gasoline rebate cards has been debated in Washington for several months, with the potential of providing households with financial relief, particularly as gas prices reached $5 per gallon last week. However one White House official says the Biden administration will not call for a similar program due to the fact that it would be difficult to administer and require Congressional approval. Gas rebate cards could seem like a viable solution for a short-term fix however, there are several issues that have to be resolved before it becomes the norm for American customers.
Gas Rebates from Federal Government
The federal government hasn’t adopted the Gas Rebate Act that will take effect in 2022. However, it is considering such an option. In addition, some cities and states have already approved legislation for it. Inflation rebate checks are designed be used to assist consumers in coping increased costs. While it is not a federal program, many of these rebates have been issued through state governments who have surplus funds. The federal government should consider such a scheme for a practical way to fight the current high prices of gasoline and other items.
Certain states have tried to lower their gas taxes as well as are considering the residents of those states with refunds. Some states, like New York, are considering abstaining from the gas tax altogether or offering a small refund. Governor Cuomo also has proposed tax reductions for renters and homeowners who have gas taxes over the federal minimum rate. He even has proposed cutting the tax on gas by 50% when the average cost for unleaded fuel is $4.51 a gallon in the summer. Some political leaders in New York state have also supported the suspension of the state gas tax of 33.3 cents per gallon.
They aren’t available in every state.
Although the federal government is not endeavoring to introduce any kind of stimulus package as of yet, state lawmakers and president Biden have put forward a variety of ideas to assist consumers. This includes a three-month fuel tax exemption. As of late June no concrete plan is currently being looked at by Congress. It could be a while before gas rebates start being distributed to every state. Although the President has been able to propose the national gas tax holiday, he has not found the right legislation to support the holiday.
They’re controversial
The issue is not the politics of the concept Gas rebate cards are an important tool to assist Americans deal with the expense of gasoline. However, they have already run into some resistance. A couple of months ago House Democratic counsel panned the program, claiming that it would increase inflation, it was too expensive and was not well targeted. The plan was first announced by some senior White House aides raised concerns about the rewards cards because of the dearth of microchips.