NC legislative leaders call for a special session to discuss relief for gas prices

Anna Roman, The News & Observer (Raleigh) on Oct 3, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders are calling for a special General Assembly session to “provide relief from high gas and diesel prices.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall said in a post on the social media website X Saturday afternoon that they would call legislators back for a special session, and additional details would be released at a future date.

“North Carolina families and farmers are feeling the impacts of rising fuel costs every day,” the X post said. “They need real relief and they need it now.”

The lawmakers did not specify what sort of relief they had in mind, but other states have rolled back gasoline and diesel taxes to bring down the price per gallon.

Earlier this week Gov. Josh Stein directed state staff to suspend penalties for using off-road diesel in trucks and other on-road vehicles, The News & Observer previously reported. That would allow farmers to use tax-free diesel fuel on roads as well as on field equipment.

Diesel prices have skyrocketed in North Carolina since February, when the United States and Israel began military attacks on Iran, rising from under $4 in February to $6.25 in September, The News & Observer reported previously.

In a news release, House Democratic Leader Robert Reives called the special session an election distraction.

“After 16 years with nearly complete control of the state, Legislative Republicans have done nothing to make life more affordable for North Carolinians,” Reives said. “In fact, they have made life harder and much more expensive for almost everyone. Now, just weeks before voters can hold them accountable at the ballot box, they are trying the first in what will surely be many attempts to distract from their horrible record.”