33 Kentucky jurisdictions to see extension of gas tax cut through June
Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday extended a May executive order that reduced the gasoline tax by 10 cents for 33 cities and counties whose local officials requested an extension.
In order to obtain an extension of the May 5 executive order past the 30-day mark of June 10, Kentucky judge executives and city mayors had to make an official request under state law, Beshear’s office said.
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Any jurisdiction whose leaders didn’t make a request will pay the 10 cent tax again starting 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 in a statement. “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.”
The following jurisdictions will see a tax reduction extension 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.
According to AAA, gas prices vary across Kentucky but generally hover around $4 per gallon.
During a Lexington gaggle at a Zach Dembo rally, Beshear put blame on Republicans for the extension only going to 33 jurisdictions.
“So I lowered the gas tax by 10 cents. I have the power to do that for 30 days, and then county judges or mayors have to ask to re-up. We would have had a lot of them, but some of our Republican state legislators basically threatened them in an open committee meeting, saying they might pull their projects from the road plan. Why? For putting their families first,” Beshear said. “So, I want to thank everybody who had the courage to say, ‘I want gas to cost less in my community,’ but gas is going to go up in a lot of Kentucky by 10 cents where it didn’t have to. You can thank your Republican legislator or potentially your county judge or mayor.”
McKenna Horsley contributed to this story.
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