Conservative Tennessee Rep Calls For Immediate Suspension Of State Sales Tax On Fuel And Food

Image Credit: Monty Fritts for Governor / Facebook & Canva

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Conservative Tennessee Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32) has called for an immediate suspension of state sales tax on gasoline, diesel fuel and groceries to relieve the ever growing financial burden on Tennesseans.

In a letter addressed to Senate Speaker Randy McNally, Fritts, a gubernatorial hopeful, stated that Tennesseans need financial relief after the cost of gasoline and diesel has increased anywhere from 48 to nearly 60 percent over the last ten months. 

Pointing to “military action against Iran” as the impetus of the rising costs, Fritts said that what was initially thought to be “short-term after effects” can no longer be ignored as working families are struggling to pay for what they need. 

With the “extreme increase in gas and diesel prices” affecting the price of other necessities, Fritts says that Tennesseans on a fixed income — those on Social Security, Disability, and Veterans — have been especially hard-hit. Farming families as well are facing increased stress because of rising costs, likely adding to loss of agricultural land as farmers are unable to make their farms profitable. 

In the letter, which was also sent to Governor Bill Lee and lawmakers in both the House and Senate, Fritts stated recent revenue collection reports sent in by the Department of Finance and Administration and the Fiscal Review Committee show “significant over-collection of revenues.”

“People from across the State are looking to us to help them out from under this crushing weight,” wrote Fritts in proposing the suspension of the 26 cents per gallon for gasoline, 27 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, and 4 cents on food items. 

Despite the promises from those Republican leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly last year to address the issue of sales tax, not a single proposed bill which would have reduced or eliminated the grocery tax from all foods, or even certain foods, even made it to the House or Senate floor during the 2026 legislative session.

One bill, which Governor Bill Lee recently signed and which takes effect immediately, allows counties with a metropolitan form of government to lower or exempt food from local sales tax. Applying to exactly three areas in the state: Nashville-Davidson, Memphis-Shelby, and Hartsville-Trousdale, the legislation will not impact the majority of Tennessee consumers.

View Fritts’ letter below:

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.