Kemp suspends Georgia gas tax as prices remain above $4 a gallon

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(The Center Square) – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state's diesel and fuel taxes beginning Tuesday as the average cost for a regular gallon of gasoline reached $4.19 on Monday.

“Over the past several years, with the help of our partners in the General Assembly, we've been able to give billions of dollars in relief to hardworking Georgians,” Kemp said in a statement. “We've remained committed to helping them and our small businesses fight through the tough times, and that's why I'm taking this action today to give further relief.”

The gas tax suspension runs through October.

It is the second time this year that Kemp has suspended fuel taxes amid rising prices due to the conflict in Iran. The governor extended a month-long gas tax suspension for two weeks in May for the Memorial Day holiday. The governor's office said then that money from the state surplus would cover the revenue loss.

Georgia's fuel tax adds about 33 cents to gasoline and 37 cents to diesel fuel, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. The money funds statewide transportation projects.

Gas prices rose 10 cents over the past week, according to AAA, reaching $4.19 a gallon. Last year, Georgians were paying $2.88 a gallon.

Diesel fuel prices also jumped 10 cents to $6.34 a gallon, placing a burden on Georgia's farmers who rely on diesel.

"We have been working closely with Governor Kemp's office to make this happen, and I am grateful that we have a governor who is willing to take action to give hardworking Georgians relief when fuel prices spike," Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a statement.

The national average for a gallon of gasoline is $4.47, according to AAA. California has the highest gas prices at $6.37 for a gallon of regular unleaded. Gas prices are more than $5 a gallon in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.