This week, GOP lawmakers in a transportation committee questioned the governor's gas tax freeze, following a report that the 10-cent reduction that began on May 11 will cost the state $26.8 million a month that could otherwise go toward road projects and maintenance.
"You know what? Our responsibility is to be leaders and make hard decisions, and this is not leadership," Rep. John Blanton said of the tax relief. "This is pandering and it's costing the taxpayers."
Thursday, Beshear was quick to note that the president has also embraced a gas tax holiday.
"I want you to ask each of these people 'Are you calling Donald Trump a panderer?' Because he is doing that same thing. If they won't say that to you, they're just playing politics," Beshear responded. "Listen, this is all about saving our people money. This idea that it's not enough to matter, my goodness. Everybody is struggling from the power to the gas bill to all these nickels and dimes that are breaking them. This is one step we can take that actually works."
Republican lawmakers have sounded skeptical, however, the reduction is actually making its way to customers at the pump.
Beshear has said he will request that the lost road funds be backfilled with rainy day dollars when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.