State legislators plan emergency session to address soaring fuel costs

CHARLOTTE — Republican representatives in North Carolina plan to discuss a temporary suspension of the state’s gas tax to relieve rising prices at the pump. The proposal will be considered during an upcoming special session of the General Assembly.

The proposed tax relief comes as regular gas prices in North Carolina average $4.03 per gallon, up from $2.81 per gallon at the same time last year.

State Rep. Grant Campbell, R-District 83, said lawmakers will consider suspending the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon gas tax for a period ranging from six weeks to a few months. Surplus revenue would be used to replace money lost from road project funds during the tax suspension.

>>> Charlotte Gas Prices

North Carolina drivers continue to face financial pressure from elevated fuel costs. Hallie Millard, a resident filling up her vehicle in Plaza Midwood, expressed frustration over current rates.

“They’ve definitely been high, and it’s rough going to the gas station and just seeing the prices,” Millard said. “Would be really nice to have cheaper gas.

Republican lawmakers maintain that the temporary suspension would provide swift relief to consumers. State Rep. Campbell, R-District 83, advocated for taking action.

“We have an ability to make a big difference in the pocketbooks of people and do it fairly quickly,” Campbell said.

Campbell noted that residents should expect a price drop of around 30 cents per gallon taking effect seven to 10 days after a suspension begins.

He added that leadership considered suspending the tax in late spring but delayed action because they expected price increases to be temporary.

“I don’t want to look at my constituents in a couple of months and say, ‘you know what I could have helped you sooner but I was scared to because I thought the other side might criticize me for timing,’” Campbell said.

Democratic lawmakers have pushed back against the initiative, characterizing it as political strategy ahead of upcoming elections. State Sen. Caleb Theodros, D-District 41, questioned the motives behind the special session.

“I’m not surprised. It’s not looking too well for Republicans for these November elections, but I don’t expect anything of substance to come from this,” Theodros said.

He argued that state policies cannot lower fuel costs, pointing instead to international issues such as conflict in Iran.

“Address the actual source of this, which is a war in Iran right now. This is not something state policymakers are going to move policy on,” Theodros said.

Gas tax revenues in North Carolina are designated to pay for state road projects.

Similar proposals to pause gas taxes have faced opposition in neighboring states; South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster previously opposed a tax suspension bill earlier this year, citing the need for tax revenue to fund infrastructure.

The North Carolina General Assembly is scheduled to gavel in for the special session at noon on Wednesday.