ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed an executive order preventing a hike in state taxes on gasoline.

Deal said in a statement Tuesday the tax increase scheduled to go into effect July 1 is being suspended to eliminate financial burdens on Georgia taxpayers and businesses. Deal signed the order suspending the increase on Friday.

The Georgia Department of Revenue sets the state's motor fuel tax in January and July based on an average of prices. Deal says since January, the average price of a gallon of gas has increased by about 45 cents, which would have translated to a roughly 15 percent tax increase.

According to the order, the governor has the power to suspend the collection of a tax until the next meeting of the General Assembly.