Gov. Brian Kemp is suspending the state's gas tax for one month, which will save motorists about 31 cents per gallon.

In announcing the move, Kemp "declared a state of emergency due to the 40-year-high inflation and negative economic conditions felt by hardworking Georgians as a result of policies coming out of Washington, D.C."

The latest numbers from AAA show the current gas price at $3.57 compared to $3.24 one year ago and about $3.64 a month ago.

"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 in a press release announcing the gas tax suspension. "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."

House Speaker Jon Burns applauded Kemp's decision to suspend the motor fuel tax.

"Georgia's success story is no accident — it is the result of conservative policies enacted to keep Georgia the nation's best state for business," Burns said in the press release.

While state Democratic leaders believe Kemp's action is politically motivated, they agree it will help struggling residents.

"I think it's welcome for many Georgia families," said Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta), Senate Minority Caucus Chair. "Gas is a significant cost driver for Georgia families, and coming off the summer where children are back and in school and routines for the fall are settling in, people need to buy gas more than they did during the summer months."

The governor can suspend gas collection because at the end of fiscal 2023, which ended June 30, the state had surplus revenue of nearly $5 billion. 

It marks the third consecutive year of budget surpluses, leading lawmakers to give Georgians back-to-back income tax rebates.

While some state Democrats agree a gas tax break is a good move, they question the continued surpluses.

"Why do we keep getting revenue underestimated every single year?" said Georgia House Minority Leader James Beverly (D-Macon). "And now, we have a surplus that is tremendous."

As for Kemp pointing to the Biden administration for inflation, Beverly said, "Bidenomics actually bailed us out in a big way during the pandemic. You had money that was deployed all over the state that Georgia didn't have to come up with because Biden did that. It wasn't Kemp, it was Biden."

"These monies should be used for Georgians whether it's for infrastructure, health care, emerging markets — not holding on to it like it's a personal bank account," Beverly said.

The gas tax break takes effect on Wednesday, Sept.13, at midnight and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Oct.12, 2023. 

The cost savings generally take a few days to show up at the pump.

Tags: Georgia  Atlanta  Brian Kemp  gas taxes