AUGUSTA, Ga. — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black joined State Representative Henry “Wayne” Howard (D-Augusta) to kick off the state’s Assistance at the Pump initiative at a Circle K gas station in Augusta on Aug. 19.
The initiative will help disabled drivers in need of assistance by adding phone numbers for the station attendant to the preexisting Georgia Department of Agriculture inspection decals affixed to gas pumps across the state.
“This is not only a victory for our disabled community, but also proof that bipartisan collaboration is always a viable option when attempting to solve an issue,” Black said. “We would like to thank Representative Wayne Howard for his leadership in bringing this concern to our attention and working with us to find a workable solution for all involved.”
During the 2021 legislative session, Howard introduced House Bill 437, which would require gas station employees to dispense gas to disabled drivers in need of assistance. Instead, Black and Howard joined forces to include the information by enlisting the state’s fuel inspectors as they perform their regulatory inspections at retail gas pumps. The decals now include a blank space for the gas station to fill in the phone number to reach an attendant and wording to instruct these drivers to call for assistance.
For more on diversity, equity and inclusion, read CSP's August cover story, Starting the Conversation.
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