In February 2026, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a war against Iran. Three months on, Americans are being crushed at the pump, paying around 50% more than before the war. In response, Trump and Gov. Phil Scott have floated suspensions of the federal and state gas taxes.

At first glance, the proposals sound logical. Why not help average working Americans who are suffering from Trump and Netanyahu's war? Take a closer look, however, and three flaws emerge.

A gas tax suspension would be too small to help Vermont workers. The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. Vermont's excise tax is 12.1 cents. Take 30.5 cents off what you just paid at the pump. Are you better off than you were a year ago? Or three months ago? No, not even close.

But it would be big enough to devastate our roads and bridges. Gas tax rates have been kept below inflation for years. The federal gas tax has been held at 18.4 cents since 1993. If it had been pegged to inflation, it would be at least 33 cents by now. Our underfunded roads and bridges rely on those stagnant gas taxes. They can't afford a complete suspension without a new source of revenue.

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