NASHVILLE, TN - Today, House Democrats are calling for a statewide gas and diesel tax holiday to help reduce costs for Tennessee's working families while fuel prices continue to soar. The FY26-27 Budget Amendment released by the Bill Lee Administration this morning failed to include any such tax relief for Tennesseans. State Representative Bo Mitchell and State Representative John Ray Clemmons are requesting that Governor Bill Lee and their Republican colleagues set aside funding in the state budget, which is currently being debated, for timely tax relief for families. "

It's time for a timeout from the March Madness of these gas prices, baby!" says State Rep. Bo Mitchell, channeling his inner Dick Vitale. "You'd think these out of touch millionaires running our state would want to help the rest of us out here scratching to get by for a change."

"We legislators currently have the opportunity to take control of this budget and shape it in a way that benefits every Tennessean and keeps a little money in people's pockets," says State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, Democratic Caucus Chair. "We'd much rather see our state provide tax relief for the benefit of every family and business across the state than spend a billion dollars on an uncapped welfare program like vouchers that benefits a select few. Farmers, business owners, workers and families of every stripe in every community would benefit from us getting our priorities straight up here."

According to AAA the average price of gas increased thirty cents ($0.30) over the past week and $1.09 over the past month, resulting in Tennesseans paying an average of $3.650 to $4.508 for gasoline and $5.269 for diesel. Last week was the fourth week in a row that prices have risen in the Volunteer State. Factors causing these increased prices, include elevated crude oil prices directly resulting from international conflicts, refineries switching to summer-blend gasolines, and other seasonal factors.