Brian Kemp declares 'state of emergency' in Georgia over inflation

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Tuesday over high inflation and announced that he will be temporarily suspending the state's gas tax to help ease the burden on drivers.

The suspension is scheduled to start on Wednesday and last until October 12. According to Kemp's office, the reduction will result in savings for Georgians of 31.2 cents for regular gasoline and 35 cents for diesel, Georgia Recorder reports.

The Republican governor blamed President Biden's administration for the hike in inflation, specifically the failures of "Bidenomics" which has taken a strain on the middle class.

"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. "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. Working with partners in the General Assembly, we'll continue to help Georgians weather the economic headwinds caused by this president, his administration, and their allies in Congress."

While gas prices are higher in other states, Georgia residents are paying significantly more than they were just one year prior. In September of 2022, the average gas price in Georgia was $3.24. Prices have now increased by 0.33 cents, according to AAA.

With Kemp's suspension of the excise tax, the cost of filling up a 15-gallon tank will be $48.87, instead of $53.55 which is the current cost with the tax.

The current average US price for gas is $3.86, according to AAA. States most impacted by high gas prices are out on the West Coast, with Californians paying an average of $5.46 a gallon and Washingtonians paying $5.05.

Americans across the country have been negatively impacted by the rising cost of living due to increasing inflation at the hands of the Biden administration. 

While appearing on Fox News, Gov. Kemp said he hopes the suspension will help hardworking Georgians as they fight through Bidenomics which is responsible for taking more than $700 per month from American pockets.