Stay Informed: Latest News from Across Georgia
- Georgia Democrats held a press conference outside the Shell station by Ansley Mall, featuring Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Sam Park, and Stacey Evans.
- Democrats criticized Burt Jones and Rick Jackson for refusing to support suspending the gas tax.
- Rising gas prices and inflation strain working families, raising costs for groceries, health care, and long commutes in Metro Atlanta.
- Keisha Lance Bottoms calls to extend the gas tax suspension; Democrats endorse her as a people-centered governor.
- High pump prices force families to rethink travel, increasing costs for errands, childcare pickups, and holiday plans.
The small relief Georgians felt in their pockets when Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state’s gas tax on June 2 has ended. This marks a continuation of high gas prices following the ongoing war involving Iran and pleas for local elected officials to fight for relief at the pump.
On Monday, Georgia Democrats hosted a press conference featuring DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and State Reps. Sam Park and Stacey Evans. The three stood outside the Shell gas station across from Ansley Mall on Piedmont Avenue, where gas was nearly $4 per gallon, a dollar more than last year.
It’s the fourth leg on the “Jones and Jackson Are Out For Themselves” tour, where Georgia Democrats have been calling out Republican gubernatorial candidates Burt Jones and Rick Jackson for refusing to support suspending the gas tax.
“You are seeing rising gas prices, you’re seeing outrageous increases in the cost of everyday consumable goods like food, and also you’re seeing health care prices increase, and I’d like to say that all of this is being done by those who claim they have our best interests at heart,” Cochran-Johnson said.
“Since February, gas prices have soared, and families across the state of Georgia are determining how they will continue to pay more than $1 more per gallon at the gas pump. But rather than stand up for hardworking people, Jones and Jackson are flat out ignoring the question.”
The impact of rising gas prices means working families must navigate one more strain on the economy, from inflation in grocery stores to household expenses. Cochran-Johnson also noted that Metro Atlanta has one of the longest commutes in the United States.
“The cost that’s incurred to travel back and forth to work to pick children up from school, just to run errands, is substantial, and it has a huge impact. So, you’re seeing people, even during this holiday season when people are taking to the roads, rethinking their vacation travels because they plainly and simply cannot afford to travel.”
Cochran-Johnson, Park, and Evans expressed their support for Keisha Lance Bottoms in her race for Georgia governor, highlighting her willingness to expand the gas tax suspension.
“Keisha Lance Bottoms gets it. She’s calling on leaders to bring costs down. That’s why she immediately jumped into action to call for an extension of the gas tax suspension when Republicans announced they were going to snap it away,” Evans said.
“That’s the kind of people-centered, forward-thinking mindset that we need in the governor’s mansion, and that’s why we’re all so proud to support Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor. Immediately calling for an extension of the gas tax suspension shows us that Keisha Lance Bottoms would wake up every day thinking about people and their struggles.”
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