Georgia extends gas tax suspension through Thanksgiving holiday

Georgia officials decided over the weekend to extend the state’s gas tax suspension through Nov. 30.

Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and state House Speaker Jon Burns announced the decision Saturday to extend a state of emergency that corresponds with the suspension of the state’s motor fuel excise tax. The state of emergency was set to expire on Nov. 5.

The purpose of the extension was to provide financial relief to Georgians through the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, according to a news release.

“With a major holiday coming up and fuel prices still at high levels, I am proud to take this step to keep more money in Georgians’ pockets,” Kemp said in the news release. “Our commitment to fiscal responsibility and stewarding taxpayer dollars has allowed us to act when needed, whether by suspending the gas tax or returning billions to taxpayers through income tax refunds and property tax relief. I’m grateful to our partners in the General Assembly for their support and for standing with us to budget conservatively for times such as these.”

AAA reports that the average gallon of gas in Georgia was $3.66, down from the national average of $4.29. A gallon of diesel in Georgia costs $5.71.

Georgia’s current motor fuel excise tax is 33.3 cents per gallon of gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon of diesel.