Gas prices in late September were $4.19 a gallon for regular unleaded and over $6 a gallon for diesel fuel in Raleigh, North Carolina. A sticker affixed to the gas pump blames President Donald Trump for the high prices. (Photo: Clayton Henkel/NC Newsline)
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, announced Saturday they’ve agreed to call the legislature into a special session to provide relief from high gas and diesel prices.
The leaders did not announce a date for the special session or details on what measures they plan to consider. With only a month left until Nov. 3, it’s unclear whether they can or will call Republican lawmakers off the campaign trail before what’s expected to be a tough election for the GOP.
“Rising fuel costs are squeezing North Carolina families’ pocketbooks and creating challenges for farmers across the state,” Hall said in a social media post announcing the special session. “North Carolinians can’t afford to wait.”
Berger shared a similar message on social media, calling for “real relief” for families.
The announcement comes three days after Gov. Josh Stein directed the state Department of Revenue to suspend penalties through the end of 2026 to allow farmers to use red-dyed diesel fuel on highways.
Red-dyed diesel is exempt from state and federal fuel taxes and is intended for off-road agricultural equipment. Using it in vehicles that drive on public roads is generally illegal.
Stein said North Carolina farmers have been strained by crop losses, drought and higher diesel costs.
“I urge the federal government to join me in providing the same relief to North Carolina farmers and families,” he said.
North Carolina’s gas tax is currently 41 cents per gallon. Lawmakers could consider suspending part or all of the tax during the special session, though leaders have not yet said what relief they propose. Other states have enacted similar measures.
The move comes as poll numbers in N.C. show declining approval numbers for President Donald Trump and the generic Republican ballot. Friday, the Senate Leadership Fund decided to pull ad buys for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
Republican super PAC pauses spending in North Carolina’s key US Senate race
House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, criticized the announcement. He said Republicans are attempting to distract voters from their record on affordability ahead of the midterm election.
“After sixteen years with nearly complete control of the state, Legislative Republicans have done nothing to make life more affordable for North Carolinians,” he said. “ In fact, they have made life harder and much more expensive for almost everyone.”
Courtesy of NC Newsline
