Gas Tax on the Way!

An Opinion by

DE Representative Bryan Shupe

April 1, 2025

More info is coming out about the proposed fee increase from DELDOT, as seen in the Governor’s recommended budget yesterday. Members of his own party are saying it’ll come from a gas tax… —in interviews with Delaware Public Media.

Here’s the deal: Delaware already has a gas tax of $0.23 per gallon. That means every time you fill up a 20-gallon tank, you’re paying $4.60 to the state! Under this proposal, that tax would go up, and the Governor estimates it will bring in an extra $35 million a year. While $35 million sounds like a lot, it’s only 0.5% of the $7 billion state budget.

I find it hard to believe that the Governor couldn’t trim just 0.5% of that $7 billion to avoid hitting Delaware families with more taxes. Here are a few suggestions for him:

1) Stop funding the $100 million legislative hall renovation and new parking garage for legislators.

2) Eliminate the “reinvestment fund” for legislators. This fund, about $80 million annually over the last two years, is spent without the usual financial oversight (Joint Finance Committee or Bond Committee), on the last day of session.

3) Find 0.5% in wasteful or over funded areas within Delaware’s $7 billion budget to cover costs instead of raising taxes.

What worries me most?

Governor Meyer, a former math teacher, knows these numbers well—and still chose to impose new taxes. This shows the tax-and-spend mentality is alive and well in this new administration.

The State of Delaware doesn’t have a revenue problem; it’s a spending problem. Until the state fixes its own financial house, expect more tax hikes beyond personal income tax increases and this new gas tax proposal. Let’s keep the conversation going—share your thoughts below! Gov Meyer proposes Gas tax, increase in income tax, eliminating of State reserve account .