Last Updated on October 5, 2026 9:50 am
Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly announced Saturday they will call a special legislative session focused on bringing relief to drivers and farmers struggling with fuel prices that have climbed well above the national average.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the announcement October 3, saying North Carolinians are feeling the squeeze at the pump and action is needed before the end of the year.
“Rising fuel costs are squeezing North Carolina families’ pocketbooks and creating challenges for farmers across the state,” Hall said in a statement. “North Carolinians can’t afford to wait.”
Berger echoed that message, calling for “real relief” for families.
No Date Set — And No Specifics Yet
As of Monday, October 5, no date has been set for the special session, and no specific legislation has been introduced or detailed publicly. Lawmakers said additional information would be coming.
Among the options under discussion is a temporary suspension of part or all of North Carolina’s 41-cent-per-gallon fuel tax — one of the higher gas taxes in the Southeast. Similar suspensions have been enacted in other states during periods of elevated fuel prices.
Whether Republican lawmakers will leave the campaign trail to attend the session remains an open question. The November 3 midterm elections are now less than a month away.
Current Prices in Watauga County
Drivers in the High Country are already paying above the state average. As of Monday morning, the lowest regular unleaded price in Watauga County was $3.94 per gallon at the 76 station and Speedway in Blowing Rock — up 15 cents from last week’s local low of $3.79. Most Boone stations were posting $4.05 to $4.08 per gallon.
Diesel prices are hitting farmers and small businesses especially hard. The county diesel low was $6.18 per gallon at Speedway in Banner Elk, with most stations at $6.25.
Statewide, North Carolina drivers are paying an average of $4.03 per gallon for regular, compared to the national average of $4.37 — though diesel averages $6.02 statewide, according to AAA.
Farmers Already Getting Some Relief
Governor Josh Stein has already taken one step to ease the burden on agricultural operations. Stein directed the state Department of Revenue not to penalize drivers using red-dyed diesel — a lower-taxed fuel normally restricted to off-road agricultural use — on public roads. That exemption is in effect through the end of 2026.
Filling a tractor tank with diesel at current prices can cost some farmers more than $500 per fill-up.
Democrats Call It Election-Season Politics
Democratic leaders pushed back hard on the announcement, questioning the timing one month before an election.
Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch called the move “a day late and a dollar short,” and said it fits “the exact same pattern” of weak Republican leadership on affordability issues.
House Democratic Leader Robert Reives accused Republicans of “attempting to distract voters from their record on affordability ahead of the midterm election.”
Republican leaders did not directly respond to those characterizations, saying only that the session would be scheduled soon.
WataugaOnline will continue tracking this story. If a session date is announced or specific legislation is introduced, we will update this article.
📋 Sources: WRAL News, NC Newsline, ABC11, WITN | 📋 Fuel price data: GasBuddy, AAA
