FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 9, 2026) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that he has extended his executive order that reduced the gas tax by 10 cents and resulted in lower gas and diesel prices across the state for 33 cities and counties where local officials requested an extension. Kentuckians in areas where the county judge/executive chose not to request an extension can expect to see prices at the pump rise by 10 cents per gallon starting Thursday, June 11.
“Gas prices are too high due to the continued war in Iran, and Americans – including right here in Kentucky – are struggling. Every dollar counts, and my executive order lowered gas and diesel prices across the state to help our families save,” said Gov. Beshear. “Government is there to help our people, and the state can and will make up any potential financial hit. Right now, our priority should be on Kentucky families, and I applaud these local leaders for doing what’s right.”
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 Beshear administration received requests from leaders in the following areas, where the order has now been extended through Tuesday, June 30: the cities of Alexandria, Ashland, Campton, Carrsville, Clay City, Covington, Drakesboro, Earlington, Eminence, Falmouth, Gamaliel, Glencoe, Island, Jenkins, London, McHenry, Oak Grove, Owensboro, Owingsville, Paintsville, Park City, Sebree, Smithfield, Smiths Grove, West Point, Whitesville and Winchester; Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government; and Carter, Graves, Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe counties.
The communities that did not request an extension will see gas and diesel prices rise beginning Thursday, June 11. The Governor acknowledged that some local officials’ decisions to not make a request may stem from pressure from certain state legislators in recent committee hearings.
Recognizing the strain rising gas prices were putting on Kentucky families, the Governor took several steps in early May to provide relief.
First, the Governor signed an emergency regulation to freeze the gas tax at 26.4 cents per gallon ahead of an expected increase to 27 cents per gallon on July 1. The action to freeze the current rate is projected to save Kentuckians about $1.7 million combined each month.
Gov. Beshear also signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to gas prices. The order reduced the gas tax by 10 cents, resulting in a 10 cent per gallon price decrease for Kentuckians. The order was expected to save Kentuckians $26.8 million combined over a one-month period.
To enforce the reduction and ensure providers didn’t keep the 10 cents, Gov. Beshear also activated the state’s price-gouging statute.
The Governor also sent two letters urging leadership in Congress and leaders in Kentucky’s congressional delegation to suspend the federal gas tax until the end of the year.
In a proactive step, the Governor also signed an executive order to freeze the 2026 motor vehicle assessment rate ahead of an expected increase on Jan. 1, 2027.
These actions came just weeks ahead of a May 27, 2026, price decrease in Jefferson County and parts of Bullitt and Oldham counties after the Governor’s request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Louisville area to be removed from the federal Reformulated Gasoline Program received approval in February. For 30 years, Kentuckians living in these counties were paying 10 to 25 cents more per gallon.
