Longer Lines At The Gas Pumps This Summer
Southaven,MS
By: Charlie Hoots
Fadi Salameh
Raceway
The lines at the gas pumps will be getting longer soon for Mississippians.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed into law Wednesday A gas tax increase for his state that will help fund a $10 billion backlog in road projects across Tennessee.
Currently, Tennessee’s tax on gasoline is 21.4 cents per gallon. The plan increases the tax by 6 cents per gallon over the next three years.
Mississippi’s tax rate is 18 cents a gallon for all motor fuel, including gasoline, plus .4 for environmental protection for an overall rate of 18.4 cents per gallon.
Those purchasing gasoline would begin paying an additional 4 cents per gallon on gasoline starting July 1, with 1 cent increases in 2018 and 2019.
Diesel taxes are currently 18.4 cents per gallon. Anyone buying diesel would pay an additional 4 cents per gallon beginning July 1, with 3-cent increases in both 2018 and 2019.
With those increases Tennesseans are expected to flood over the state lines into North Mississippi to make their gas purchases.
Latricia Johnson from Memphis says, she already does most of her shopping in Southaven because its cheaper because of the sales tax and for her safety.
“This just gives me one more reason to come to Mississippi”.
Fadi Salameh owner of Raceway Gas station on Stateline at I 55 says he’s looking forward to the increase in business.
“During the winter months, Tennessee gas goes up 8 cents per gallon because of
additives they add to it. I see my gas sales go up 30,000 gallons a month when they do”. Salameh said.
“This will increase my sales by 10-20%, Of course I like the idea”.
So get ready, its going to be a hot longer wait this summer in those lines.
