Georgia Governor Extends Gas Tax Suspension

Drivers in Georgia will continue to get a break at the gas pumps in the state, at least until mid November.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced last month he was suspending the state's gas tax from September 13 through October 12, thanks to 40-year high inflation and negative economic conditions.  Kemp said the excise tax suspension would give direct relief to families across the state at the gas pumps, saving them roughly 31 cents per gallon.

Today, Kemp announced he has signed an executive order extending a State of Emergency and the suspension of the gas tax until 11:59 p.m. November 11.

"We're taking action at the state level to deliver relief to hardworking Georgians fighting through Bidenflation, soaring interest rates, and sky-high prices due to Bidenomics," said Governor Kemp.

The suspension of the taxes, at 31.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 35 cents per gallon of diesel, had been scheduled to end next Thursday, October 12, but will now run through at least November 11.
"With our partners in the General Assembly, we'll keep working to put money back in the pockets of Georgia families," Kemp said.

Georgia lawmakers say the state can afford to forgo its fuel taxes because it has a multibillion-dollar surplus.  Georgia's governor is allowed to suspend the collection of taxes during an emergency, as long as lawmakers approve it.

As of Thursday, Georgia drivers were paying some of the lowest gas prices in the country.  The state average was $3.20 per gallon of unleaded gas, according to AAA.  That price was 37 cents lower than when Kemp suspended the taxes last month.  The national average of $3.77 a gallon is down 7 cents over the same period of time.

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