ATLANTA -- Georgia motorists will get a bit of relief at the pump in the midst of summer driving season.

Gov. Sonny Perdue said today he is putting off a scheduled increase in gas taxes that was set to take effect July 1, shaving about 50 cents off the cost of filling a standard passenger car.

"Georgians are already facing record gas prices, and raising taxes even higher would put further strain on families' budgets and our economy," Mr. Perdue said.

The governor's executive order suspends a 2.9-cents per gallon increase in the state's sales tax on gasoline. It also puts off increases of 4.2-cents per gallon on diesel fuel and 3.6 cents per gallon on aviation fuel.

The suspensions will remain in effect until the General Assembly meets in January.