18:52
In a new development today, Kentucky Governor Andy Basher is defending his decision to lower the gas tax in the Bluegrass amid Republican criticism that came out this week. It comes as the average price for a gallon of gas in Kentucky is sitting at 3.88 today. Political reporter Isaiah Kim Martinez talked to a Shelby County gas station today on his way to Frankfurt to ask the governor some questions. A gallon of gas cost $3.89 at this Shelbyville Valero on Thursday. Now we having big issues with customers over the prices.
Owner Muhammed Haneia, Kuckian of 24 years, says high fuel costs have led to about a 30% drop in sales, not at the pump, but of snacks and drinks inside his gas station convenience store. The customers, they're not willing to spend the money because they want to save it for something more important. As the price of gas and diesel fluctuate across Kentucky, Governor Andy Basher is defending his decision to lower the gas tax amid Republican criticism in Frankfurt. When I did that, we did see the price of gas initially go down and stay down when it's going up in other parts of the country. Would we rather alleviate our families suffering in their budget a
little bit and absorb some of it in ours or not? I've said yes. We'll put our families first. Those legislators have said no. GOP lawmakers this week voiced concern that the gas tax reduction prevents roughly $27 million from going to Kucky's road fund. That means not being able to repair potholes, not being able to resurface roadways, not being able to provide funds for rural secondary roads. Republican State Representative John Blandon calls the move political pandering amid speculation of a Basher presidential run in 2028. I stand by that. He was pandering to voters. When I asked Basher about these
comments, he fired back by bringing up that President Donald Trump supports suspending the federal gas tax to bring prices down. So, I want you to ask each of these people, are you calling Donald Trump a pander? Because he is doing that same thing. We're talking about totally two different dynamics here. Uh, state versus federal. The federal can print money. We can't in the state of Kentucky. back in Shelbyville. So you have less people walking inside the store to buy stuff. The struggle continues for Haneia's business. He says he doesn't expect to see true relief until the war in Iran is over. Isaiah Kim Martinez, WH11 on your side.
Republican Governor of Indiana Mike Braun has suspended the Hooser gas tax several times, doing it again just this week. According to AAA, gasoline is more than 30 cents cheaper in the state of Indiana right now compared to
