Governor Kemp announced on Friday that he is extending the temporary suspension of the state fuel tax, as well as the supply chain state of emergency. Kemp says that the 40-year high inflation caused by “bad policies in Washington, D.C.” led to the decision.
Kemp signed the two executive orders on Friday. The motor fuel and locomotive fuel tax will continue to be suspended through Dec. 11. The announcement expresses concern that high gas prices will continue as OPEC plans to decrease oil production.
Kemp says the high gas prices can be attributed to President Biden’s refusal to, “promote American energy independence,” which, he says, has depleted the oil reserve to its lowest level since 1984.
"As another holiday season and a looming diesel shortage approaches, Georgians are still facing record high inflation, growing costs at the grocery store just before Thanksgiving, and high prices at the pump as they prepare to travel to see family, all due to a complete failure of leadership in Washington," said Governor Brian Kemp. "While we can't fix everything politicians have broken, our responsible approach to reopening our economy while prioritizing both lives and livelihoods allows us to deliver needed relief by continuing to suspend our state's gas tax. Alongside our partners in the legislature, we will continue working to ease the burden felt by Georgia's families who deserve to have safe, warm, and prosperous holidays."
The continued suspension of the gas tax over the past year has helped Georgia to consistently have some of the lowest gas prices in the country. Georgia’s state average of $3.16 on Friday morning is, yet again, the lowest in the nation. California consistently has the highest gas prices.
