By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that he has extended his executive order reducing the gas tax by 10 cents, resulting in lower gas and diesel prices across the state for 33 cities and counties where local officials requested an extension.
Kentuckians in areas where the county judge/executive chose not to request an extension can expect to see prices at the pump rise by 10 cents per gallon starting Thursday, June 11.
“Gas prices are too high due to the continued war in Iran, and Americans – including right here in Kentucky – are struggling. Every dollar counts, and my executive order lowered gas and diesel prices across the state to help our families save,” Beshear said. “Government is there to help our people, and the state can and will make up any potential financial hit. Right now, our priority should be on Kentucky families, and I applaud these local leaders for doing what’s right.”
To extend the May 5 executive order past the 30-day mark of Wednesday, June 10, Kentucky law required county judge/executives and city mayors to make a request.
The Beshear administration received requests from leaders in the following areas, where the order has now been extended through June 30: the cities of Alexandria, Ashland, Campton, Carrsville, Clay City, Covington, Drakesboro, Earlington, Eminence, Falmouth, Gamaliel, Glencoe, Island, Jenkins, London, McHenry, Oak Grove, Owensboro, Owingsville, Paintsville, Park City, Sebree, Smithfield, Smiths Grove, West Point, Whitesville and Winchester; Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government; and Carter, Graves, Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe counties.
The communities that did not request an extension will see gas and diesel prices rise beginning Thursday. The Governor acknowledged that some local officials’ decisions to not make a request may stem from pressure from certain state legislators in recent committee hearings.
Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has eliminated that state’s entire 62.5 cents per gallon fuel tax through July 7, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle. President Donald J. Trump has also proposed suspending the federal gas tax, but is facing pushback from some GOP lawmakers over the loss of a major source of revenue.