Politics
Kemp keeps Georgia fuel tax break in place for holiday travel
Georgia drivers will continue to avoid state motor fuel taxes through Nov. 30 after Gov. Brian Kemp extended the suspension. The tax break reduces costs at the pump but has previously cost the state about $200 million a month in revenue.
Georgia’s suspension of its motor fuel tax will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30, Gov. Brian Kemp ordered Saturday, extending a break for drivers as Thanksgiving travel approaches.
The suspension covers the state excise tax of 33.3 cents per gallon of gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon of diesel. Kemp said in a statement that fuel prices remain high and the extension would leave more money in Georgians’ pockets during the major holiday.
The General Assembly must approve the suspension when it next meets. Kemp said he consulted with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns before extending the state of emergency that underpins the tax break.
The current suspension began under a Sept. 28 emergency order and was set to expire Oct. 29. It is the fourth suspension this year. Kemp signed a 60-day suspension bill in March after it passed the House 163-4 and the Senate unanimously. In May, he extended the suspension by two weeks through an emergency declaration; lawmakers later approved that extension retroactively during a June special session.
While the suspension offers direct relief at the pump, it also reduces state revenue. Earlier suspensions cost Georgia about $200 million per month, according to figures reported by the state.