Kemp keeping Ga. gas tax on hold, even as S.C’s rises

ATLANTA (WRDW/WAGT) - Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday extended the suspension of the state’s fuel tax through the rest of the summer.

He also renewed the state of emergency for supply chain disruptions, which bans price gouging on gas and other goods, as well as loosening rules on trucking.

ON THE ROAD:

When gas prices started sharply spiking a few weeks ago and driving up inflation on other goods, Kemp suspended the fuel tax, which is nearly 30 cents a gallon, to give consumers a break. As a result, Georgia’s gas now is among the cheapest in the nation, running roughly 50 cents below the national average.

The previously extended suspension was set to expire in a few days.

“I am committed to fighting to ease the economic burden hardworking Georgians are facing,” Kemp said.

The order also suspends the state sales tax on train fuel.

Both executive orders will be extended through August.

Across the river

Meanwhile, drivers in South Carolina are paying more at the pump starting Friday as the final 2-cent state gas tax increase went into effect.

The increase raises South Carolina’s gas tax up to 28 cents per gallon.

Friday’s increase is the last of six years of 2-cent increases. The revenue has gone toward improving the state’s roads. The increases were part of a 10-year plan funded through the 2017 SC Infrastructure and Economic Development Reform Act, which has funded more than $1 billion of road and bridge work in the state.

WCSC contributed to this report