Georgia’s 33-cent gas tax will return Wednesday

Georgia’s 33-cents-per-gallon tax on gasoline will return Wednesday after Gov. Brian Kemp declined to extend a suspension lawmakers approved amid soaring fuel prices during the war with Iran.

Georgia was the first state to suspend its gas tax, which also includes a 37-cents-per gallon levy on diesel. Last month, Kemp extended that suspension for another two weeks to get drivers through the busy Memorial Day weekend.

But on Monday, a spokesperson for Kemp said he would let the gas tax suspension expire at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. The spokesperson said the governor made the decision “with oil prices now holding relatively steady,” noting the state must keep “a financial eye toward any unexpected needs in the future.”

Georgia’s gas tax pays for road maintenance and construction. Motorists collectively saved about $200 million a month while it was suspended.

Motorists will notice the increase at the pump over the next few days. Though the gas-tax suspension saved motorists money, it couldn’t halt the rise in prices amid the war.

The average price of regular gasoline in Georgia was $3.83 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA. When lawmakers suspended the tax in March the price was $3.79 a gallon — up from $2.70 in February.