Protecting Wyoming People's Wallets, Biteman Calls for Temporary Suspension of State and Federal Fuel Taxes

High Gas Prices Crushing Wyoming Families, Biteman calls for meaningful tax relief on every gallon of fuel to lead the way forward.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Every time Wyoming families pull up to the pump, they feel it deeply.

Not in theory. Not in headlines. In real life.

For many of our Wyoming families, it is painful filling their tanks, especially when you think about the feds and state taking 42.4 cents per gallon…

It’s time for us to protect the people of Wyoming’s wallets by temporarily suspending the state and federal fuel tax.

The rancher filling up a diesel truck before sunrise, the mom driving her kids to practice after a long day at work, the small business owner watching fuel costs eat into their already thin margins. It’s the people of Wyoming that need this immediate tax relief.

For many Wyoming families, a simple trip to the gas station has become a serious financial strain, and in a state like Wyoming that is just under 100,000 square miles, it hurts us worse than the rest of the country who don’t put in nearly the number of daily miles like we do.

And yet, for something that affects nearly every Wyoming household, every Wyoming worker, and every Wyoming business, you don’t hear many politicians talking about it…

That needs to change.

The truth is, high gas prices aren’t happening by accident. They’re the result of a combination of global instability and policy decisions here at home—and both matter.

We also have to be honest about what’s happening around the world. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, has tightened global energy markets and driven oil prices higher. When a significant portion of the world’s oil supply flows through one region, the instability over there doesn’t stay contained, it shows up in places like Wyoming, right at the pump.

That’s the reality.

But here’s what matters more: how we respond to it.

If events halfway around the world can drive up prices overnight, then America should never put itself in a position where we are that vulnerable. We should be doing everything we can to produce more energy here at home—not less.

Instead, for years, we have seen policies that restrict production, delay infrastructure development, and create uncertainty for the very industries that power our economy. That drives up costs, limits supply, and leaves American families exposed when global markets tighten.

Wyoming knows better.

We are an energy state. We have the resources, the workforce, and the expertise to lead—not just for ourselves, but for the entire country. When Wyoming energy is unleashed, it doesn’t just create jobs, it lowers costs for families and strengthens our national security.

That’s why we need a plan that delivers both immediate relief and long-term solutions.

In the short term, I support a temporary suspension of the state and federal gas taxes to provide some relief to families who are feeling the squeeze right now. When people are struggling to afford the basics, the government shouldn’t be making it harder to get to work or take care of their families.

But we should be clear: this is not a long-term solution.

If we want to bring gas prices down for good, we need to increase American energy production. That means cutting unnecessary regulations, fast-tracking pipelines and infrastructure, and ensuring we have the refining capacity to meet demand.

It means putting Wyoming energy back to work for Wyoming families—and for the nation.

I’ve spent more than two decades working in the energy industry and I’ve seen firsthand how smart policy can expand supply, stabilize markets, and lower costs. I’ve also seen what happens when we get it wrong.

This is not a partisan issue. This is a kitchen-table issue.

Leadership isn’t about avoiding tough conversations or hoping problems fix themselves. It’s about facing reality, understanding the stakes, and taking action!

High gas prices are hurting Wyoming families and businesses right now. We can’t ignore it. And we shouldn’t accept it as the new normal. Families should not have to choose between buying groceries or putting gas in the tank. Temporary tax relief on a gallon of fuel is a no-brainer while we work on increasing domestic fuel supply.

We have the resources. We have the expertise. And if we choose the right policies, we have the ability to fix it.

Wyoming has always led the way in energy. It’s time to do it again.

Senator Bo Biteman (SD-21) Sheridan County

Wyoming Senate President

Candidate for US House of Representatives (WY-AL)

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Contact: press@bobiteman.com