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Taxes & Budget Updated October 9, 12:30 am

Paxton and Talarico clash over federal gas and diesel taxes

U.S. Senate candidates Ken Paxton (Republican) and James Talarico (Democrat) debated federal gas and diesel taxes. Talarico called on Paxton to condemn the Iran war and suspend those taxes; Paxton said the gas tax should be permanently eliminated.

Where
Carrollton (Paxton-Talarico exchange); Statewide (Abbott's actions)
When
Last week of early October 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Counties: Dallas

Taxes and money

Talarico proposed suspending federal gas and diesel taxes; Paxton proposed permanently eliminating the gas tax.

  • Federal gasoline tax18.4 cents per gallon2 3 4 Who pays or receives it: Drivers
  • Federal diesel tax24.4 cents per gallon2 3 4 Who pays or receives it: Drivers

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Ken PaxtonRepublican U.S. Senate nominee
  • James TalaricoDemocratic U.S. Senate nominee
  • Greg AbbottGovernor of Texas

The facts

  • Talarico called on Paxton to condemn Iran war at gas station in Carrollton.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Talarico first called for pausing federal gas tax in April when war began in February.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • U.S. and Israel conducted joint air attacks against Iran in February.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Average gas price in Texas last week was $3.94 per gallon; diesel was $5.90.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Nearly all federal fuel tax collected goes to Highway Trust Fund for federal highway and mass transit.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Abbott issued disaster proclamation expanding use of dyed diesel on Texas roads.2 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • Abbott requested Clean Air Act waiver from EPA for dyed diesel use.2 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • Dyed diesel is exempt from fuel taxes.2 3 Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • James Talarico War in Iran is driving up costs; it is a disaster.2 3 4
  • James Talarico Suspending federal gas and diesel taxes provides necessary relief for Texans.2 3 4
  • Ken Paxton Repealing gas tax puts money back in drivers' pockets; Washington should fund roads by cutting waste.2 3 4
  • Greg Abbott Record diesel prices put agriculture and freight industries at risk; raising costs for Texas families.2 3

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

Sources

Outlets: 5 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Paxton, Talarico spar over gas taxes, diesel prices Wimberley View Not rated, October 6, 2026
  2. Paxton, Talarico spar over gas taxes, diesel prices Wilson County News Not rated, October 6, 2026
  3. Paxton, Talarico spar over gas taxes, diesel prices Pleasanton Express Not rated, October 7, 2026
  4. Paxton, Talarico spar over gas taxes, diesel prices The Navasota Examiner Not rated, October 7, 2026
  5. Hispanic business owners weigh in on Paxton vs Talarico Texas race USA Today Not rated, October 7, 2026

Also reported by Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Amarillo Globe-News, Greenville Online, The Fayette County Record, Lampasas Dispatch Record, The Community News, Taylor Press.

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

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Reported by 6 outletsFound via Google News

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