Governor Brian Kemp announced Tuesday morning he will once again temporarily suspend the state's gas tax as a result of inflation and economic conditions.
According to a press release from Kemp's office, Kemp declared a state of emergency which will allow the suspension of the tax "due to the 40-year-high inflation and negative economic conditions felt by hardworking Georgians as a result of policies coming out of Washington, D.C."
The executive order will go into effect on Wednesday and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2023. Suspension of the tax will save Georgians 31.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 35 cents per gallon of diesel fuel. Consumers should expect to see a drop in prices at the gas pump several days after the order goes into effect.
"From runaway federal spending to policies that hamstring domestic energy production, all Bidenomics has done is take more money out of the pockets of the middle class,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “While high prices continue to hit family budgets, hardworking Georgians deserve real relief and that's why I signed an executive order today to deliver it directly to them at the pump. Working with partners in the General Assembly, we'll continue to help Georgians weather the economic headwinds caused by this president, his administration, and their allies in Congress."
According to an analysis from Moody's Analytics from August, Americans are spending $709 more per month than 2 years ago and $202 more per month than last year. When the gas tax was suspended from March through December of 2022, Georgians saved roughly $1.7 billion at the pump.
"I applaud Governor Kemp’s suspension of motor fuel taxes to keep our people and our economy moving despite Washington’s inaction on rising fuel prices,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “Georgia’s success story is no accident – it is the result of conservative policies enacted to keep Georgia the nation’s best state for business.”
According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Georgia is currently $3.57, up from $3.24 a year ago.
