RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Republican leaders in the North Carolina House and Senate announced Saturday that they plan to convene a special session of the General Assembly focused on gas prices, as drivers across the Triangle continue to grapple with rising fuel costs.
The announcement was made on social media and comes one month before the midterm elections. House and Senate Republican leaders said the special session would aim to provide immediate relief at the pump.
“North Carolina families and farmers are feeling the impacts of rising fuel costs every day. They need real relief and they need it now,” the post says.
Details about when the session will begin and what actions lawmakers might take remain unclear.
Drivers said higher gas prices are putting additional strain on household budgets.
“Prices are extra high. I mean, it’s taking me an extra $40 just to fill up,” said James Goodman of Faison.
Jabrail McBride of Knightdale said he has seen prices increase nearly every time he visits a gas station.
“It seems like every, every trip I need to go to the gas station, it’s up to another, like, $0.10, and then sometimes 25. I’m like, man, when is it going to come back down?” McBride said.
The continued rise in gas and diesel prices has forced some drivers to cut back on spending and change their driving habits.
“I have another truck that takes $95 just to fill it up. So that’s why I don’t even drive it,” Goodman said.
McBride said higher fuel costs, combined with increased grocery prices, have forced him to reconsider discretionary spending.
“I have to reduce my wants because gas and groceries are just higher than ever. So having to prioritize putting more aside for gas and groceries and all the other needs that have gone up,” he said.
The Republican proposal drew criticism from Democratic leaders.
“After sixteen years with nearly complete control of the state, Legislative Republicans have done nothing to make life more affordable for North Carolinians. (…) Now, just weeks before voters can hold them accountable at the ballot box, they are trying the first in what will surely be many attempts to distract from their horrible record,” said NC State House Democratic Leader Robert Reives.
Some drivers welcomed the prospect of state action.
“Anything will help. I haven’t heard about (the special session). I have to look into it. But if it will help, I would love for it to be put in place,” McBride said.
Others expressed skepticism that state lawmakers can lower prices.
“I don’t think it’ll help. I mean until Trump decides that he wants to do better, I don’t think it’s going to go down,” Goodman said.
Senate Leader Sydney Batch released this statement:
“North Carolina families have been getting screwed over by rising prices for months thanks to failed Republican leadership. Yet, somehow, Phil Berger and Destin Hall just now noticed? Exactly one month before Election Day? Perhaps they should spend time with hard working North Carolinians rather than their wealthy donors.
We were supposed to be in legislative session last week. If Lame Duck Pro-Tem Phil Berger actually wanted to help families, we could have done it literally days, or even months ago, because high gas prices aren’t new.
This is the exact same pattern, from the same failed, weak leadership that took three years to produce one state budget. Session, after session we’ve seen that when it comes to protecting their own power, Republicans will move with lightning speed. But when your family needs help, they’ll wait until it’s politically convenient for them.
They’re always a day late and many dollars short. This proposal reeks of desperation from a fl ailing NCGOP, not real and lasting relief for hard working North Carolinians.”
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Source: abc11.com
