AJC: Kemp suspends Georgia's fuel tax again, saving drivers at the pump

[SYFROYH]

Wow.

https://www.ajc.com/politics/kemp-suspends-georgias-fuel-tax-again-saving-drivers-at-the-pump/ZURYVIPMWVGUPLDSELBESRXJPI/

With state coffers overflowing thanks to another big surplus, Gov. Brian Kemp is once again suspending the state’s gas tax to cut the cost of motor fuel to Georgians.

Kemp can only suspend the tax one month at a time through his state of emergency executive order, and the new suspension - which starts at midnight - will run through Oct. 12. But he can continue the tax break on a monthly basis through executive orders.

“From runaway federal spending to policies that hamstring domestic energy production, all Bidenomics has done is take more money out of the pockets of the middle class,” Kemp said in a statement announcing the executive order. “While high prices continue to hit family budgets, hardworking Georgians deserve real relief and that’s why I signed an executive order today to deliver it directly to them at the pump.”

Kemp, a Republican, has been a consistent critic of the Democratic Biden administration, blaming it for rising prices. Inflation was at 3.2% in July, down from 8.5% the same month in 2022, according to the government’s Consumer Price Index report.

[hueymahl]

1. Say what you will about him, this is a good move

It primarily helps middle and lower middle income citizens who proportionately pay way more in gas taxes than upper income people.

[SYFROYH]

4. True, but this smacks of political theatre.

Blaming Joe Biden for inflation, etc. I think this was a gift to the Republican Party to show he is still a team player even though he standing firm on the accuracy of the 2020 election and not interfering with AD Willis' prosecution.

This is an easy tax to forego because our state's coffers are overflowing, and the Governor is seeking ways to spend it.

[Chipper Chat]

2. *rump will take credit for it

In 5..4..3..2

[MichMan]

3. High gas prices are good for the environment

[hueymahl]

5. Yeah, in theory

But they would need to be a lot higher to make a real difference in people's choices. And we as a society would need to commit to driving alternatives. Otherwise, lower income people end up shouldering the burden disproportionately. It is the ultimate regressive tax.

[magicarpet]

6. Higher gasoline and fuel oil prices are bad,...

... for Biden at the ballotbox.

Just ask Putie and MBS. They are conspiring to limit world gasoline supplies to drive up the price before November of 2024. Biden out,.. trDump back in are their ambitions.