South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is declining calls to suspend or roll back the state’s gas tax as average gasoline prices have climbed above $4 per gallon.
The statewide average reached $4.11 per gallon Thursday, Sept. 17, up about 21 cents from the previous week, according to AAA data reported by Spectrum News. The average was $4.03 earlier in the week.
McMaster has said he does not plan to call the General Assembly back for a special session to consider suspending the tax. Under state law, suspending the gas tax would require legislative action.
South Carolina’s gas tax is approximately 28.75 cents per gallon. Revenue from the tax is used primarily to fund transportation and road projects. McMaster has argued that reducing the tax would decrease funding available for long-term infrastructure while the current increase in fuel prices could be temporary.
The increase in fuel prices has prompted renewed calls from some state officials and political candidates for temporary tax relief. Earlier this year, lawmakers considered proposals to suspend the gas tax, but those measures did not advance.
South Carolina’s current gasoline average remains below the state’s record of $4.60 per gallon, set in 2022. Diesel prices have also risen sharply, reaching a reported $6.12 per gallon on Sept. 16.
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Patrick Byrne lives in Tega Cay with his wife and two daughters. After 25 years working for a Big 4 bank, he retired to pursue his passion for writing. Additional articles and content can be found on his blog (reverian1776.blogspot.com) and freethepeople.org.
Patrick can be reach via email at [email protected]
