Beshear moves to freeze gas tax, seeks relief as prices rise in Kentucky

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

KENTUCKY (KBSI) – Andy Beshear announced a series of actions aimed at lowering gas prices and easing costs for Kentucky families.

In a statement Tuesday, Beshear said rising fuel costs tied to global events have placed financial strain on residents. He said the state is taking steps to provide relief.

The governor signed an emergency regulation to freeze the state gas tax at 26.4 cents per gallon ahead of a scheduled increase July 1. Officials said the move is expected to save Kentuckians about $1.7 million per month.

Beshear also issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to gas prices and called for a 10-cent reduction in the gas tax. The reduction requires approval from the Kentucky attorney general before taking effect.

In addition, the governor activated Kentucky’s price-gouging laws to prevent fuel providers from withholding savings from consumers.

Beshear said he also sent letters to members of Congress urging them to suspend the federal gas tax through the end of the year.

The governor signed a separate executive order to freeze the state’s motor vehicle assessment rate ahead of a planned increase in 2027, a move intended to prevent higher vehicle property taxes.

Officials said additional fuel cost relief is expected later this month in the Louisville area after federal approval to remove certain counties from a gasoline program that had resulted in higher prices.