Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Supports Temporary Fuel Tax Relief

MURPHY, N.C. — The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has formally backed a push for temporary fuel tax relief, sending a letter of support to Sen. Kevin Corbin as state leaders moved to call lawmakers back to Raleigh over high prices at the pump.

County Manager Randy Wiggins signed the Oct. 5 letter on behalf of the board. It states that commissioners support Corbin’s efforts asking the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House to issue a joint proclamation for an extra session of the North Carolina General Assembly to consider state legislation providing fuel tax relief for North Carolinians.

“Thank you for all you do for Cherokee County, for working to reduce the fuel tax burden for North Carolina residents,” the letter reads.

The county’s support came as fuel prices across the state climbed above $4 a gallon. AAA reported a statewide average of about $4.12 per gallon on Wednesday. North Carolina’s motor fuel tax stands at 41 cents per gallon on gasoline and diesel.

Two days after the county’s letter was dated, the General Assembly met in a one-day special session and passed the Relief at the Pump Act, also known as House Bill 3. The House approved the bill 111-1 and the Senate approved it 41-0. The measure suspends the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax through Nov. 30 and includes additional provisions for farmers using dyed diesel through Dec. 31.

Lawmakers said lost fuel-tax revenue, estimated at more than $360 million, would be replaced from the state’s inflation reserve so highway funding is not cut during the pause. The bill has been sent to Gov. Josh Stein, who has said he supports the suspension. If signed, the tax would drop to zero the day after the law takes effect.

House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger called the session, saying rising fuel costs were squeezing families, farmers, and businesses. Stein has welcomed the relief while calling the timing late and describing the session as an election-season move. Early in-person voting begins in a little more than a week, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

For Cherokee County drivers, a full suspension of the 41-cent tax would mean about $6.15 less on a 15-gallon fill-up and about $8.20 less on a 20-gallon fill-up, if the savings reach the pump.