From the HERE City State Desk
North Carolina lawmakers voted nearly unanimously Wednesday to suspend the state’s gas tax through the end of November, sending the bill to Gov. Josh Stein.
The House approved the Relief at the Pump Act 111-1, with Rep. Pricey Harrison of Guilford County casting the only no vote. The Senate followed 41-0. The tax is currently 41 cents per gallon, and the bill would suspend it until Nov. 30.
House Speaker Destin Hall said it is the first time North Carolina has suspended the entire gas tax. He said drivers are more likely to see prices fall by 30 to 35 cents a gallon than the full 41 cents, and that timing may vary by location. The bill does not require retailers to cut prices on fuel they bought and paid taxes on before the holiday takes effect.
Senate Democrats said nothing in the bill guarantees stations will pass the savings along. An amendment that would have let the attorney general pursue retailers for price gouging was ruled out of order. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said his caucus voted yes but questioned why the cut was not made earlier.
Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger called the special session. It comes just over a week before early in-person voting begins and about a month before Election Day on Nov. 3.