Governor Deal says he has signed an executive order to prevent an increase in the motor fuel tax that was scheduled to go into effect July first.

The Department of Revenue sets the motor fuel tax every six months. Officials determined that average gas prices over the past six months called for the gas tax to rise to 12.9 cents per gallon from 12.1 cents per gallon.

Governor Deal says we are seeing a slow and steady rebound in Georgia’s economy. The unemployment rate is going down and state revenues are rising.

But he says Georgians are still paying high gas prices. He says the state shouldn’t add to that burden.

The Governor has the power to suspend collection of a tax, but it must be ratified by the General Assembly

Tags: motor fuel tax, Department of Revenue, Governor Nathan Deal