The following is a statement from NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido ahead of the North Carolina General Assembly’s special session to consider measures addressing rising gas and diesel prices.

“High gas and diesel prices are placing added pressure on North Carolina families and businesses, raising the cost of getting to work, moving goods, and keeping operations running across the state. Providing near-term relief from those rising costs is an understandable priority.

A temporary pause on the gas tax could help ease that pressure, particularly for small businesses with less flexibility to absorb higher transportation and operating costs. Any pause should be clearly timebound and structured to ensure that existing transportation projects and commitments remain fully funded.

This conversation is yet another reminder of the challenges that come with relying so heavily on the gas tax to fund North Carolina’s transportation network. As vehicles become more fuel efficient and transportation needs continue to grow, North Carolina must act to develop a more reliable and diversified approach to funding the infrastructure needed to move people and products safely and efficiently. North Carolina cannot afford to wait any longer on this conversation, and identifying long-term transportation funding solutions will be a top priority for North Carolina’s business community in 2027.”