Georgians will continue to get a tax break at the pump for a little while longer. Governor Brian Kemp on Friday signed an executive order extending the suspension of the state motor fuel tax through mid-August. This is the second time Kemp has extended it. The order also suspends the locomotive fuel tax.
In March, Kemp signed a law that passed with broad bipartisan support suspending the state’s gas tax through May 31. At the end of May, he extended that suspension through July 14.
Under state law, Kemp can suspend taxes by executive order as long as state lawmakers ratify the action the next time they meet. Kemp suspended the gas tax in 2021 during a pipeline shutdown, and former Gov. Nathan Deal suspended gas taxes multiple times.
In announcing the extended suspension, Kemp blamed high gas prices on President Joe Biden.
“I am committed to fighting to ease the economic burden hardworking Georgians are facing due to disastrous policies from Washington politicians,” he said in a news release.
The price of gas has risen dramatically around the world since Russian President Vladimir Putin began amassing troops on the border of Ukraine. Biden last month called for a three-month suspension of federal gasoline and diesel taxes but the idea was rejected by some Democrats and Republican Senators panned the idea calling it a “gimmick.”
Democrat Stacey Abrams, who’s challenging the Republican Kemp in the governor’s race in November, said on Twitter Friday that “it’s past time for Brian Kemp to commit to suspending the gas tax through the end of the year.”
It’s past time for Brian Kemp to commit to suspending the gas tax through the end of the year.
Georgians — this weekend, look out for our new ad at a gas pump near you: pic.twitter.com/5bCeyAIPUN
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) July 1, 2022
Georgia’s gas price normally includes a federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon and a state tax of 29.1 cents per gallon. A number of cities and counties also charge taxes. The federal tax on diesel is 24.4 cents per gallon and Georgia’s diesel fuel tax is 32.6 cents per gallon.
