Georgia Governor suspends state fuel taxes as gasoline tops $4 per gallon

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered a pause on the state's gasoline and diesel excise taxes, a measure that will remain in place until October. The suspension comes as the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4.19, up 10 cents from the previous week, while diesel climbed to $6.34 per gallon. The state's fuel tax, which contributes about 33 cents to gasoline and 37 cents to diesel, normally finances transportation projects.

Kemp cited past collaborations with the General Assembly that delivered billions in relief and said the tax pause uses surplus funds to ease the burden on residents and small businesses. Tyler Harper, Georgia's Agricultural Commissioner, welcomed the step, emphasizing its importance for farmers reliant on diesel. The national average gasoline price stands at $4.47, with the highest rates in California at $6.37.