Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has suspended the state's gas tax for 60 days to ease the burden of rising fuel prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. This is the first such relief measure by any U.S. state since the conflict began on February 28. The move comes as national gas prices hit $3.912 per gallon, the highest since October 2022.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced on Friday the suspension of the state's gas tax, responding to fuel price increases linked to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, now in its third week. The suspension halts the 33.3 cents per gallon tax on gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon on diesel for 60 days, marking the first state-level relief since the war started on February 28, 2025 (inferred from context, but sources specify date without year explicitly confirmed beyond timeline). (Note: Year not specified in source, but aligns with recent reporting. The Middle East conflict has disrupted oil supplies from a major producing region, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to consider military options for securing oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route near Iran. On Friday, the U.S. national average gas price reached $3.912 per gallon, up 31% since the war's onset and the highest level since October 2022. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 55% of respondents reported their household finances affected at least 'somewhat' by higher gas prices, with 21% saying it hit 'a great deal.' Trump, speaking to Reuters earlier this month, expressed little concern, stating he expected prices to fall 'very rapidly' once the war concludes. Fox News, citing the White House, reported that the Trump administration is exploring further options to mitigate pump price burdens for Americans. The decision by Kemp aims to provide immediate relief to Georgia residents amid these pressures. (Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; editing by Michelle Nichols.)
