Kemp extends gas tax break through mid-August

State gas tax break extended as Americans gear up for holiday travel

Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Friday that he is once again extending the state gas tax suspension as many Georgians prepare to hit the road for the 4th of July weekend.

The order, which was initially set to expire in mid-July, will now run through mid-August. Georgians have found themselves paying among the lowest prices for gas in the country as a result of the tax break.

Millions of Georgians will take to the roads and the skies over the next few days for what is expected to be one of the busiest travel seasons since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Brian P. Kemp @GovKemp

I'm committed to easing the burden Georgians are facing due to disastrous policies from Washington politicians. Unfortunately, Pres. Biden & Democratic leaders have not done their part to tackle the issue, instead calling on Americans facing record-high inflation to go without.

In a video message, Kemp said Friday that he was fighting to ease the economic pain on Georgians, which he says is being caused by “disastrous policies” from Democratic leaders in Washington.

The move is also set to become another wedge issue in the Governor’s re-election campaign. His Democratic archrival, Stacey Abrams, has pressed him to suspend Georgia’s gas tax through the end of the year. He has dismissed her position as an election tactic to distract voters from inflation.

But Abrams took things a step further on Friday. When drivers hit the road this weekend, they may notice an ad from Abrams on gas station pumps highlighting her position on the issue.

“It’s among the first political ads designed specifically for gas stations and a sign that the Democratic candidate recognizes that gas prices are getting voters’ attention-- and she plans to pressure Kemp on the fuel tax even as the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling remakes her broader strategy.”