Drivers along the Gulf Coast have noticed gas prices hitting $4.59 a gallon, and it’s putting pressure on lawmakers at the state and federal levels to consider lowering or removing their gas taxes.If the state eliminated its sales tax, that would be a reduction of about .38 cents a gallon and the federal tax would eliminate another .18 cents a gallon, lowering prices by as much as 57 cents a gallon and many drivers say they’re desperate to take it.”Anything helps. If they can get rid of that even for a while, that would definitely help my budget,” said Sarah Kuhen of Fort Myers.She and others are spending as much as $114 or more to fill up their tanks.”We’ve got three kids and trying keep the household running. It’s an impact,” said Delayne Pavlick of Lehigh Acres.President Trump has said he is considering eliminating the federal tax and democrats in Tallahassee want the state gas tax eliminated too.State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D- House Minority Leader, said, “One thing I have observed about Republican leadership in Florida is that they tend to listen to what the president says. So, I would hope that we can get this done.”Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani said she has talked to colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have expressed interest in adjusting the state tax.”Any type of tax reduction we have to identify additional funding to fill in those gaps,” Eskamani stated.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Drivers along the Gulf Coast have noticed gas prices hitting $4.59 a gallon, and it’s putting pressure on lawmakers at the state and federal levels to consider lowering or removing their gas taxes.

If the state eliminated its sales tax, that would be a reduction of about .38 cents a gallon and the federal tax would eliminate another .18 cents a gallon, lowering prices by as much as 57 cents a gallon and many drivers say they’re desperate to take it.

“Anything helps. If they can get rid of that even for a while, that would definitely help my budget,” said Sarah Kuhen of Fort Myers.

She and others are spending as much as $114 or more to fill up their tanks.

“We’ve got three kids and trying keep the household running. It’s an impact,” said Delayne Pavlick of Lehigh Acres.

President Trump has said he is considering eliminating the federal tax and democrats in Tallahassee want the state gas tax eliminated too.

State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D- House Minority Leader, said, “One thing I have observed about Republican leadership in Florida is that they tend to listen to what the president says. So, I would hope that we can get this done.”

Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani said she has talked to colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have expressed interest in adjusting the state tax.

“Any type of tax reduction we have to identify additional funding to fill in those gaps,” Eskamani stated.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.