Gov. Kemp considering gas tax suspension that could save drivers more than 30 cents per gallon

by Stephanie Adkisson

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is considering temporarily suspending the state gas tax as prices climb more than 70 cents per gallon in Georgia over the past month, according to AAA.

A suspension would save drivers more than 30 cents per gallon.

Kemp has suspended the tax before

Kemp has suspended the gas tax on previous occasions when prices have risen sharply. He first did so in 2022 during the war in Ukraine, again in 2023 when inflation hit a 40-year high, and most recently in 2024 for Hurricane Helene relief.

What drivers are saying

Savannah-area drivers said they would welcome the relief.

“You used to budget with gas, find cheap gas places and all that,” said Kevin Floyd. “Now it’s just, you know, you’ve got to pay what you’ve got to pay. So I don’t even go looking for cheaper prices, because one day it may be this, the next day it may be that. So I just fill up, because you’ve got no choice. You’ve got to have it, you know what I mean, so really just at the will of them at the moment.”

Floyd also said he does not believe it is necessarily the governor’s responsibility to act, given that he views the price increases as a federal issue but added the relief would be appreciated.

“I mean, I would love it. I don’t think it’s necessarily his job to have to do it when it’s a federal problem, it seems like,” Floyd said. “But if he wants to do anything to help the citizens of Georgia, I mean, it’d be much appreciated.”

Another driver, Charles Hiers, said lower gas prices benefit more than just consumers at the pump.

“You know, when you’re not spending money on gas, you’re spending money on other durable goods, on other material things,” Hiers said. “So it helps the entire economy.”

Hiers added he would personally use the savings to go boating more.