Politifact Virginia: Gas tax and out-of-state drivers - NBC12 - WWBT - Richmond, VA News On Your Side

In this week's Politifact Virginia report Governor Bob McDonnell would like to get rid of the state's gas tax and replace it with a bump in the state sales tax to help pay for transportation. Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw doesn't think the plan will work.

Here is what he told us back on January 9^th: "There's no reason for us to put the whole burden on Virginia when one-third of the gasoline is purchased by out-of-state people and now we're going to give them a free ride." 

Is that true? Is one third of gasoline in Virginia purchased by people out of state?  

According to Politifact that statement is false. Reporter Warren Fiske said there is just no evidence to back up that claim.  

"The state just doesn't keep tabs on the amount of gas that's purchased by out-of-state drivers and the reason is the state collects the gas from gasoline wholesalers, it's technically collected at the pump from drivers," said Fiske. 

You can see all the information behind this week's Politifact Virginia report on their web site, www.politifactvirginia.com. 

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