A growing group of largely upper Midwest Governors have banded together to push for a federal Gas Tax Holiday as a means to the record prices consumers are seeing at the pumps.  In addition, some are investigating offering an additional break from the individual state gas tax as well.

Six governors - including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers - have signed a letter asking "congressional leaders....to drop the 18-cent federal gas tax until the end of the year".  According to details shared in an article in the Superior Telegram [paywall], the letter asks the elected officials to "pull....federal general funds to replace the lost revenue".

The effort comes as drivers across the country are facing the highest average prices ever recorded.  While the price of gas per gallon has been rising over the last year, it was driven even higher as the United States banned Russian oil imports. World and economic forecasts don't anticipate any immediate change from that situation with all things remaining the same.

U.S. Gas Prices Hit A New Record At $3.79 A Gallon
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With their combined push, the governors feel that a break for consumers from the federal gas tax would help to ease the sting of those record gas prices. In addition to Walz and Evers from Minnesota and Wisconsin, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf have signed on with their support.

In addition to the federal Gas Tax Holiday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also backing an effort to curb the state gas tax as well"

"Walz told reporters at the Capitol that he was open to the state gas tax holiday in addition to the federal proposal as long as the state's fund for roads and bridges is backfilled."

Currently, a bill that would sunset that state gas tax is in the Minnesota Legislature.  However, it has not come up for a hearing or a vote yet at this time. If approved that effort could bring added relief to drivers as we head into  the busy summer driving season.

If a state gas tax holiday were to pass, those savings could really start to add up. In Minnesota, the state gas tax rate currently sits at 28.5 cents per gallon.   Meanwhile, Wisconsin's state gas tax rate is currently 30.9 cents per gallon; additionally, the state also collects 2-cents more for a "petroleum clean up program" - which adds up to 33 cents per gallon at Wisconsin pumps.

Those state numbers, combined with federal tax numbers can really start to add up.  Doing the math, customers at Minnesota gas pumps pay 46.9 cents per gallon in taxes.  In Wisconsin, that number is 51.4 cents per gallon.

Gas Prices Reach Record High In San Francisco
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Tips To Help Save Money At The Gas Pump

Tips, suggestions, and ideas to help you save money on your gasoline costs.

LOOK: Here are 25 ways you could start saving money today

These money-saving tips—from finding discounts to simple changes to your daily habits—can come in handy whether you have a specific savings goal, want to stash away cash for retirement, or just want to pinch pennies. It’s never too late to be more financially savvy. Read on to learn more about how you can start saving now. [From: 25 ways you could be saving money today]

Where Is The Best Fish Fry In The Twin Ports?

The fish fry is one of those meals that has become synonymous with Upper Midwest cuisine. While New England claims its seafood, Texas has its barbecue, and California is the land of 10,000 salads - it seems like the fish fry is omnipresent on a lot of restaurant and grill menus in the part of the country we live in.

And while some could argue what constitutes a proper fish fry (i.e. is the fish battered and deep dried, grilled, or broiled?). And - some might debate whether or not the side dish matters (i.e. is it served with "chips" (French fries) or some other side like mashed potatoes or rice?). No one debates what day of the week is traditional for a fish fry meal: That honor goes to Friday. The Friday connection has it's origins because a variety of religious denominations couldn't eat meat on that day of the week - especially during the Lenten season. However, even outside of Lent, the fish fry special is something most people expect to see on the menu at a restaurant on a Friday.

Even with the special being so prolific to Friday restaurant menus, it seems like the common question - especially here in the Northland - is "who has a fish fry?" or "who has the best fish fry?".

To answer those questions, we've compiled the following list of businesses - listed in alphabetic order - who specifically make mention of their Friday fish fry special on their menus, websites, and social media sites.

Try one, try some, or try them all. You can't go wrong!

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