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Virginia Governor proposes 3-month gas tax holiday as national average hits $5 a gallon

Over the weekend, the national average for a gallon of gasoline hit $5.

ARLINGTON, Va. — There doesn't appear to be an end in sight to record-high gas prices and everyone is feeling the pain at the pump. Over the weekend, the national average for a gallon of gasoline hit $5.

Shanerica Filmore says she looks for bargains when choosing where to fill up because the cost for a full tank has doubled in recent months.

“I have loyalty, so I just put my number in and I've taken a couple cents off from gas but other than that it'll be about $80,” Filmore said.

In Arlington, Virginia, the cost of regular gas is around $5.29. As gas prices continue to climb, CG Green says he's pumping the brakes on unnecessary trips.

"Look at it, it's crazy," said Green. "It's $5.29 for gas. I have to rethink where I'm going."

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin says he is in favor of temporarily suspending the commonwealth's gas tax. He says the rise in fuel cost is top of mind for every Virginian he speaks to. 

“When we see $5 a gallon gas and we see inflation running away from us, we have to recognize that these are the kitchen table issues that Virginians are most focused on,” Youngkin said.

The governor believes the commonwealth can afford to suspend the gas tax if lawmakers work together. He is proposing to suspend it for three months and then have it come back. 

"That's 26 cents a gallon for regular and 27 cents a gallon for diesel that we could suspend," he said. "We have plenty of money to pay for it."

Youngkin claims Virginia has more than a billion dollars of excess money in the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. 

"We could suspend it for July, August and September and then have it come back in the fall, late fall and winter, when gas prices are going to decline anyway naturally,” the governor explained.

Green says he would take any help at this point.

“I’d just be happy if I could pay less. I’m not sure how that looks, what goes into it, but if I could pay back to $3.50 a gallon, I’d be a lot happier and I’m sure a lot of people at these pumps would be too,” he said.

While everyone can agree that $5 a gallon is awful, experts believe the problem may get worse later in the summer. Some are predicting that gas prices will continue to rise, with the average possibly hitting more than $6 a gallon. 

WATCH NEXT: National gas price average rises to $5 per gallon

AAA reports that the national gas price average has risen to $5 per gallon.

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