CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The state of Texas levies a flat 20 cent per gallon tax on gasoline and diesel fuels. The state constitution mandates that 75 percent of that money has to go into the highway fund. The remaining 25 percent is deposited into the public education fund.
But not everyone has to pay the tax. Federal agencies and public school districts are exempt.
Now, San Patricio County is joining an effort to get counties across the state exempt from this tax.
San Patricio County Judge David Krebs says every time a county vehicle is gassed up the county is having to pay that state sales tax of 20 cents on every gallon.
He feels it’s unfair and he’s trying to get state lawmakers to change it.
"What problem do you have with the counties that we have to do this and none of the others have to, tell us," Krebs said.
He believes that this year the county will spend $100,000 in state gas taxes that school districts, federal agencies and volunteer fire departments don’t have to pay.
"We passed a resolution this morning to support the fuel tax exemption," Krebs said. "We’re going to send it to JM Lozano our state representative."
He said The County Judges and Commissioners Association is behind the effort.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Oscar Rivera estimates that the San Patricio Sheriff's Department has spent about $12,000 into that fuel tax this year.
It's money he believes he could have been put to good use.
"$12,000 can certainly buy weapons for our guys and buy equipment with it and the list can go on," Rivera said. "And equipment starts to get expensive pretty quick."
Krebs added that he plans on going to Austin and appealing to lawmakers there to exempt counties. He also plans on going around the county and letting residents know about the issue.