Chambliss Applauds Governor Perdue’s Efforts to Provide Relief to Georgia’s Farmers

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today praised Governor Sonny Perdue for signing an executive order to suspend the state gas tax on off-road diesel. The suspension on the four percent state tax is effective immediately and will be in effect until the General Assembly meets again in January 2009.

“This is an important step in providing relief to many Georgians who have been hit hard by the rising prices of gas,” said Chambliss. “I know many farmers who are grateful for the tax suspension and I applaud Governor Perdue for his leadership. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to provide additional relief for Georgians.”

Chambliss is a co-sponsor of several legislative items aimed at reducing gas prices, including legislation proposed by Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, that would temporarily suspend the federal gas tax during the summer months. Chambliss, along with fellow Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson, are also co-sponsors of the “Domestic Energy Production Act of 2008,” legislation to increase domestic energy supply.

On April 29, Chambliss and Isakson, along with 15 other Republican senators, sent a letter to President Bush requesting that the U.S. Department of Energy immediately halt deposits of domestic crude oil into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Chambliss and Isakson voiced disappointment that Bush so far is rejecting the idea.