As gas prices spike across Tennessee, some Democrats have called for a gas and diesel tax holiday to ease the pain at the pump, but getting it passed will require cooperation from the Republican supermajority, which ultimately controls the budget.

According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of gas in the Volunteer State has increased $1.09 over the last month, mainly due to the war in Iran.

“There is no running away from the fact that life is unaffordable right now,” House Democratic Caucus Chair, Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville), said. “People are having to make a decision between healthcare, prescription drugs and groceries, or filling up their car to get to work to make money to pay for those things. That is a decision that no family should have to make.”

Democrats’ proposal would temporarily cut Tennessee’s current 26-cent-per-gallon tax on gas and 27-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel, which generates around $78 million for the state per month.

“We’re calling on our colleagues across the aisle — who really have control of this state budget, as you all know — to find out how to afford this, and it’s easy,” Clemmons said.

Democrats are asking the Republican supermajority to refuse to pass the bill that would double the number of school vouchers available in Tennessee, which they say would fund a two-month-long gas tax holiday statewide, saving the average family around $5 to $8 every time they fill their tanks.

“Georgia just did this three days ago, so other states are doing it,” Rep. Bo Michell (D-Nashville) said. “It’s proposed in Maryland right now, so other states are looking to help their working people. You’d think the Volunteer State would as well.”

However, it doesn’t appear that House Republican leadership is on board. In a statement to News 2, House Transportation Chairman Dan Howell (R-Cleveland) wrote that not only is a gas tax holiday unenforceable, but it likely wouldn’t help consumers.

“Once again, Tennessee Democrats repackage their same tired ideas, showing they have little understanding of our state’s economic or infrastructure realities,” Howell wrote. “Eliminating the gas tax does nothing to benefit consumers and it is completely unenforceable. The Democrats know this. Gas station owners set their own prices so there’s no guarantee any savings would be passed on. Even if it could be enforced, which it cannot, it would come at a steep cost by draining critical funding for roads. In the end, it’s a short-sighted proposal designed purely for political theatre. As we do every year, Republicans will continue to bring forth meaningful policies with the end goal of putting money back into Tennesseans’ pockets.”

Clemmons told reporters Democrats are working with some Republicans behind the scenes on a potential gas tax holiday. If it gets left off of the budget, Clemmons and Michell plan to present amendments to the budget to include a gas tax holiday on the House floor.

The General Assembly will draft a legislative amendment to Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed budget, which will include their spending priorities, which sometimes don’t align with the governor’s. Lawmakers generally pass a final budget around April.

The General Assembly will draft a legislative amendment to Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed budget, which will include their spending priorities, which sometimes don’t align with the governor’s. Lawmakers generally pass a final budget around April.