Beshear says he’ll use executive orders to cut gas prices. AG blames him for the costs
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- Beshear signed an order declaring an emergency but it needs AG approval to take effect.
- Beshear asked Congress to suspend the federal gas tax, reducing gas prices by 18 cents.
- Beshear froze the motor vehicle assessment and plans to freeze the gas tax on July 1.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday he’s taking steps that he claims will cut gas prices by up to 28 cents per gallon in Kentucky.
The first step Beshear made is signing an executive order that will declare a state of emergency related to gas prices. By signing the order, the gas tax in the state would drop by 10 cents per gallon, Beshear said.
The average price of gas in Kentucky is $4.28 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. The price has risen by more than 30 cents in the last week and nearly $1.50 in the last year.
Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years, according to AAA.
Beshear said the executive order could go into effect as early as next week, but Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman also must sign an order for it to go into effect. In a statement shared after Beshear announced the executive order, Coleman agreed gas prices should be lower, but blamed Beshear for high prices.
“Of course Kentuckians should have lower gas prices, but Governor Beshear has vetoed almost every tax cut that’s come to his desk,” Coleman said in the statement. “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.”
Despite the criticism, Coleman’s office confirmed the attorney general would sign the order to allow Beshear’s measure to go into effect.
Beshear said the executive order could save people in Kentucky $26.8 million per month. He’s also activating the state’s price gouging law to make sure gas stations don’t keep the extra 10 cents per gallon.
“My hope is the AG sees it the same way I do, that saving families 10 cents a gallon at the pump right now is the right thing to do, that it benefits all Kentuckians,” Beshear said.
Coleman has to sign an order to enable Beshear’s action because “we have to freeze a couple of statutes that are on the books,” Beshear said Tuesday.
Beshear also plans to sign an emergency regulation to freeze the state’s gas tax on July 1. He said the gas tax is currently is 26.4 cents per gallon, but it’s expected to rise to 27 cents per gallon July 1.
“By freezing the gas tax to its current rate, we can save Kentuckians $1.7 million each month combined,” Beshear said.
Beshear also froze the motor vehicle assessment rate through another executive order. He said the rate was set to rise on Jan. 1, 2027, but the rate will remain the same as it is in 2026. The motor vehicle assessment rate is a property tax on cars.
“It will remain the same as it was for 2026, so you won’t be paying more for your vehicle property tax next year than you do this year,” Beshear said. “As families put their budgets together, I hope this brings stability and at least a level of savings.”
Beshear said he plans to take additional steps in the future to lower costs in Kentucky, and he plans to keep these actions in place as long as gas prices are “too high.”
State of emergencies only last for 30 days, but can be renewed with cooperation from other officials. Beshear said he would be willing to undo the actions if gas prices go down, but doesn’t see that happening for at least several months.
Beshear asks Congress to suspend federal gas tax
Beshear also sent two letters to members of Congress, asking them to suspend the federal gas tax for the remainder of the year. He said if the federal gas tax is suspended, the price of gas would be reduced by another 18.4 cents per gallon.
“These leaders have a chance to help our people when they desperately need relief,” Beshear said. “I pray they can put the political games they’ve been playing aside and take a long, overdue step to help American families.”
“The price of gas isn’t partisan, it’s not Democrat or Republican, it’s just too high,” Beshear said.
Beshear blamed President Donald Trump and his administration for the high gas prices, specifically the decision to declare war on Iran.
The Iran war has been widely blamed for current gas prices. The conflict has made it difficult for ships carrying goods to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for international trade.
“All of this is entirely attributable to the Trump administration starting a war without thinking through the costs to the American people,” Beshear said.
