During a committee hearing Tuesday, Transportation Department officials outlined the estimated revenue effects of the governor's actions. The 10-cent reduction that began on May 11 is expected to cost the state $26.8 million for a month.
Deputy Sec. Mike Hancock reiterated the governor's reasoning.
"The governor took these actions because the president's war in Iran and the closure and reduced travel in the Strait of Hormuz has caused gas prices to spike significantly," he said.
The governor's emergency regulation states that it will end when the war in Iran concludes or when gas prices fall below $3 a gallon in Kentucky. But under state law, the emergency only lasts 30 days, meaning Beshear's actions would end on June 10.
The governor can extend the emergency, however, if mayors and county judges request it.
Critics argue the policy is handing away money to out-of-state drivers coming through the state, complicating funding for road projects, and potentially delaying road repairs — all without having a major impact on fuel costs. Rep. Mike Upchurch raised the issue of high gas prices four years ago, suggesting the driving force behind the current gas tax freeze was political in nature.
"If it wasn't an emergency in 2022, why is it now? And I think we all know what the difference is. It has to do with who was president, who is president, and who wants to be president," he said.
Beshear has said he will request that the lost road funds be backfilled with rainy day dollars in January when the General Assembly reconvenes. Lawmakers in the transportation committee sounded cool toward the idea and instead voted to keep a list of which mayors and county judges, if any, request that extension of the governor's state of emergency.
Responding to a request for comment, Scottie Day, a spokesperson for Beshear, wrote, "Helping Kentuckians isn’t irresponsible – it’s the right thing to do. Gov. Beshear’s action to lower soaring gas prices across the state helped families put more of their hard-earned dollars back in their pockets."
According to Day, so far no mayors or county judges have requested an extension of the state of emergency.
"As the governor has stated, government should be helping our families, not making life harder, and the state can and will make up any potential financial hit. But please ask each of the Republicans if they believe Donald Trump is pandering or irresponsible in proposing a similar reduction of the federal gas tax," he added.