WCPO 9's Logan MacDonald covers everything Northern Kentucky. If you have a story that you'd like Logan to look into or a news tip, email him at Logan@WCPO.com.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that 33 cities or counties would see an extended gas tax break as his executive order to cut the tax is set to expire Thursday.
Beshear issued the executive order in early May.
The 10-cent tax break on wholesale gasoline was designed to help ease economic pressure caused by the U.S. war with Iran.
In his announcement, Beshear said it was up to local officials to receive extended relief.
"To extend the May 5 executive order past the 30-day mark of Wednesday, June 10, Kentucky law required county judge/executives and city mayors to make a request," the release read.
In Northern Kentucky, four municipalities asked for and received an extension through June 30, including Covington, Alexandria, Glencoe and Falmouth.
Erlanger also requested an extension Wednesday.
For drivers already stretched thin, the difference matters. WCPO met with people across Northern Kentucky ahead of the looming cuts.
Kyle Harris was filling up his work truck at a Shell gas station along Licking Pike in Wilder Tuesday.
"It's unfortunate for everybody ... anybody that has a fleet vehicle, personal vehicle, gas prices are not good for anybody," Harris said.
Harris said he was fortunate to have a work truck that helped him save, but filling up his personal car has cost about $20 more per tank on average this summer.
"We don't have to fill up as often, but still, the increases, you never want to see that," Harris said. "It's going to hurt everybody's pockets."
WATCH: Drivers in Northern Kentucky speak out about the impact of the tax break expiration
We met Candy Sweet at the pump Wednesday, just one day before the expiration was set to take effect.
"You can't avoid gas. You can't avoid paying the electric bill, and you can't avoid paying your rent because you've got to have somewhere else to live," Sweet said.
Sweet said she's relieved the gas text discount is being extended for some.
"We all need it. Nobody can afford this," she said.
In Covington, Rick Booker said even a small break adds up for daily commuters.
"When you're just a regular commuter, and you got a long ways to go every day, it means a lot," Booker said. "A little bit means a lot."
Newport drivers who won't see an extension, like Stephen King, told us they'll have to adjust their routines to keep costs down, even if it means going out of the way.
"I search out the cheapest gas, so yeah, I'll go to Covington. I'll go to Erlanger, wherever," King said.
King said the situation is a burden for Newport drivers.
"You actually got to think about what you do nowadays, you know, it'll cost you," King said.
WATCH: How the gas tax expiration will impact Northern Kentucky residents
We reached out to multiple municipalities and judge executives in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties to see if they applied for an extension to the gas tax break. We only heard back from Boone County Judg/Executive Gary Moore.
Moore issued the following statement Tuesday:
"I fully support any tax relief that positively impacts the citizens of Boone County. The Governor’s decision to institute an executive order is a state government decision. This is a tax freeze on the price of wholesale gas; not what residents are paying at the pump.
This is an action that may not deliver significant savings to residents and will continue to negatively impact the state road fund, which is already struggling to support needed road repairs and upkeep.
I encourage our state representatives to engage on this state issue."
Have a story idea or tip for WCPO 9 Northern Kentucky reporter Logan MacDonald? Email him at Logan@WCPO.com.
