Governor Andy Beshear announced he was taking emergency steps to deal with higher gas prices due to the war in Iran.
“Gas prices have now skyrocketed to more than $4 per gallon in Kentucky,” Beshear saidduring a Tuesday press conference. “Today the average is $4.28 per gallon. A year ago, it was $2.85. Diesel is $5.32, which is two dollars more than a year ago.”
Beshear signed an emergency regulation to freeze the gas tax, which will prevent a future price hike on July 1. The current gas tax is 26.4 cents per gallon and was expected to rise to 27 cents on July 1.
He also signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to gas prices, which would reduce the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon, with an effective date of May 11, but said one step is needed for it to become reality. “And that is a sign off by Kentucky’s Attorney General, since it could freeze a couple of statutes that are on the books.”
In addition, the governor activated the state’s price-gouging law and sent letters urging leadership in Congress and leaders in Kentucky’s congressional delegation to suspend the federal gas tax until the end of the year. If that's approved, prices could drop another 18 cents per gallon through 2026.
He also signed an executive order Tuesday to freeze the 2026 motor vehicle assessment rate ahead of an expected increase on Jan. 1, 2027.
The governor was not shy about who he blames for the higher prices.
“All this is entirely attributable to the Trump Administration starting a war without thinking through the costs to the American people. They failed to address the basic question of how they would secure the Strait of Hormuz. They thought the war would be short, that the Iranian people would rise up. They were wrong and now the American people are paying for it.”
Attorney General Russell Coleman issued a statement responding to the proposals: “Of course Kentuckians should have lower gas prices. But Governor Beshear has vetoed almost every tax cut that’s come to his desk. Now, he’s just playing politics and running for President. Kentuckians stand with President Trump, and they’re not buying what the Governor is selling.”
However, Coleman added he will sign and publish an executive order before May 11, when the governor’s order takes effect.
Indiana’s Republican Gov. Mike Braun has signed similar executive orders, according to Beshear.
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Photo courtesy of Kentucky Today
