Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly announced Saturday, October 3, they will call a special legislative session focused on providing relief to North Carolinians grappling with elevated fuel prices. House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the announcement, stating that action is needed before the end of the year to alleviate the financial strain on drivers and farmers.
Speaker Hall emphasized that "Rising fuel costs are squeezing North Carolina families' pocketbooks and creating challenges for farmers across the state," adding that "North Carolinians can't afford to wait." Senator Berger echoed this sentiment, calling for "real relief" for families.
As of Monday, October 5, no specific date has been set for the special session, nor has any legislation been publicly introduced or detailed. Lawmakers indicated that additional information would be forthcoming. One option under discussion is a temporary suspension of part or all of North Carolina's 41-cent-per-gallon fuel tax, which is among the higher gas taxes in the Southeast. Similar suspensions have been enacted in other states during periods of elevated fuel prices.
The announcement comes less than a month before the November 3 midterm elections, raising questions about whether Republican lawmakers will leave the campaign trail to attend the session. Democratic leaders have pushed back on the timing of the announcement, questioning the motivation. Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch characterized the move as "a day late and a dollar short," stating it fits a pattern of "weak Republican leadership on affordability issues." House Democratic Leader Robert Reives accused Republicans of "attempting to distract voters from their record on affordability ahead of the midterm election." Republican leaders did not directly respond to these characterizations, only stating that the session would be scheduled soon.
High Country residents are currently experiencing fuel prices that exceed the statewide average. As of Monday morning, the lowest price for regular unleaded gasoline in Watauga County was $3.94 per gallon, available at the 76 station and Speedway in Blowing Rock. This marks a 15-cent increase from the previous week's local low of $3.79. Most stations in Boone were posting prices between $4.05 and $4.08 per gallon for regular unleaded.
Diesel prices are particularly impactful for farmers and small businesses in the region. The lowest reported diesel price in Watauga County was $6.18 per gallon at Speedway in Banner Elk, with most other stations at $6.25 per gallon. Filling a tractor tank with diesel at current prices can cost some farmers more than $500 per fill-up, highlighting the significant burden on agricultural operations.
Statewide, North Carolina drivers are paying an average of $4.03 per gallon for regular gasoline, according to AAA, which is lower than the national average of $4.37. However, the statewide average for diesel stands at $6.02 per gallon, reflecting the higher costs for this fuel type.
In a separate move to ease the burden on agricultural operations, Governor Josh Stein has already taken action. Governor Stein directed the state Department of Revenue not to penalize drivers using red-dyed diesel on public roads. Red-dyed diesel is a lower-taxed fuel normally restricted to off-road agricultural use. This exemption is in effect through the end of 2026.
