ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal has signed an executive order preventing a hike in state taxes on gasoline. <br />
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Deal said in a statement Tuesday the tax increase scheduled to go into effect July 1 is being suspended to eliminate financial burdens on Georgia taxpayers and businesses. Deal signed the order suspending the increase on Friday. <br />
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The Georgia Department of Revenue sets the state's motor fuel tax in January and July based on an average of prices. Deal says since January, the average price of a gallon of gas has increased by about 45 cents, which would have translated to a roughly 15 percent tax increase. <br />
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According to the order, the governor has the power to suspend the collection of a tax until the next meeting of the General Assembly
