Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

May 21, 2026

The Squeeze at the Pump is Tight Enough; It’s Time to Act

If you’ve stopped for gas lately, you’ve felt it. On the approach to the Memorial Day weekend, its effects may even be worse.

Fuel prices across Pennsylvania are climbing toward $5 a gallon in some areas. Not long ago, we were closer to $3. That kind of jump hits hard as Commonwealth households are spending an additional $120 or more each month.

Also impacted are costs to deliver standard consumer goods such as groceries and clothing, causing Pennsylvanians to dig deeper or make tough choices.

That’s why I’ve co-sponsored House Bill 2396.  It would provide immediate relief through a temporary gas tax holiday by suspending the state’s gas and diesel taxes for six months—cutting about 57 cents per gallon for gasoline and roughly 75 cents for diesel. 

Certainly there are legitimate concerns with such a proposal. Some worry about the impact on road funding. Others question whether the savings would actually reach consumers. Those are fair points and they need to be addressed.

First, there is approximately $7.5 billion in PA’s Rainy Day fund. In the past, I have advocated heavily to keep those funds untouched, especially when other lawmakers sought to use the funds for recurring costs. Doing so will only create a fiscal hole in the future. The term “Rainy Day” alone indicates that the funds are to be used for a very specific and one-time use that can help avoid long-term problems. 

Furthermore, any plan moving forward must ensure that the tax break shows up at the pump, not in higher profits, and that we maintain funding for infrastructure through alternative state resources during the suspension. But this issue goes beyond short-term relief.

Pennsylvania has one of the highest gas taxes in the country. For years, we’ve been told that’s necessary to maintain our roads and bridges. Yet each year, PennDOT still returns asking for more funding, while many infrastructure needs remain unmet. That raises an important question: if we’re already paying so much, why aren’t we seeing better results?

Looking ahead, the problem becomes even more complicated. Hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming more common and vehicles powered by traditional gasoline and diesel are more efficient. For years, Pennsylvania’s Liquid Fuels Tax has generated less revenue, while costs of road materials and labor have only increased.

While we need to determine a better way to invest in Pennsylvania’s infrastructure long term, the gas tax holiday proposed in House Bill 2396 is a practical first step to help families right now.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Bike Safely! - May is National Bicycle Safety Month. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code considers "pedalcycles" as vehicles. That means bicyclists must follow traffic laws, such as obeying all traffic signals and riding in the same direction as traffic. If you ride in violation of the traffic laws, you greatly increase your risk of a crash and will likely be found at fault in the event of an accident.

Here are some additional safety tips for cyclists: 
  • Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
  • Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping to communicate with drivers.
  • Wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you.
  • Regularly maintain your bike to keep it working smoothly.
  • Equip your bike with reflectors, a white headlight, and a bell or horn. 
  • Ride a car-door width away from parked vehicles.

Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed.  It is the motorist’s responsibility to provide the distance, not the cyclist. For more bicycle safety tips, please visit penndot.pa.gov.

Mark Your Calendars for a Telephone Town Hall – Please be sure to join me for a telephone townhall on Monday, June 15, from 4-5 p.m. to discuss all things energy, as well as data centers. We are also likely to delve into other topics, such as Pennsylvania’s budget. Call in directly at 877-229-8493 and use ID code 122184.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com