MORNING LINEUP
NC Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) talks to reporters on Oct. 7, 2026, after the Senate voted unanimously to suspend the state gas tax. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)
By Lynn Bonner and Christine Zhu
North Carolina lawmakers voted nearly unanimously Wednesday to pass legislation suspending the gas tax until the end of November. But it’s unclear when prices at the pump will actually drop, or by how much.
The House approved the bill 111-1 Wednesday afternoon, sending it over to the Senate. Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, was the sole vote against it. Senators voted 41-0 in favor and sent it on to Gov. Josh Stein.
House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, said this is the first time North Carolina has suspended the entire gas tax, which currently totals 41 cents per gallon. He conceded consumers aren’t likely to see prices drop by that amount, based on what’s happened in other states.
NC Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, is surrounded by other Republican senators as he talks about a bill suspending the state’s gas tax. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)
By Lynn Bonner, Trevon Spencer and Christine Zhu
As lawmakers gathered in Raleigh Wednesday to debate temporarily suspending the state gas tax, Republicans and Democrats both said they supported the idea. But while Republican leaders touted the economic relief it’ll give North Carolina drivers and businesses, Democrats say GOP leaders are motivated by election fears, not concern for their constituents.
The bill would suspend the 41-cent gas tax until the end of November. The state uses gas tax revenue to build and maintain roads. The $362.3 million cost of suspending the tax will be backfilled by taking the money from a state reserve fund, legislators said.
By Clayton Henkel
State lawmakers return to Raleigh Wednesday for a special session to address high gas and diesel prices.
It’s unusual for legislators to summon themselves back to Raleigh so close to an upcoming election. So it was surprising to many when House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate Leader Phil Berger announced the session on social media Saturday. They offered few specifics, only calling for “real relief” for families.
(Photo illustration by Getty Images)
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Nearly all of the U.S. senators elected this year will be in office when Congress debates how to restructure Social Security to prevent an automatic drop-off in retirement benefits in 2032.
Very few candidates in competitive races, however, have policy proposals on their campaign websites and many, when contacted by States Newsroom, declined to share details about which changes they’d support if elected.
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