State Legislature to Return for Vote on Gas Tax Suspension

With Ohioans paying too much at the pump as Election Day approaches, both candidates for governor have suggested a gas tax suspension. The idea was raised last week by both Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, with the latter seeking to act along with fellow Ohio Republicans.

Although the state legislature was not set to return until after the election, lawmakers will be returning in the coming days. Republicans have a supermajority, and Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley both spoke in favor of the idea during a press conference last Wednesday. McColley is Ramaswamy’s pick for lieutenant governor.

Ramaswamy’s pinned post on X lays out his plan, which would suspend the 38.5-cent gas tax and 47-cent tax on diesel for 90 days. He mentioned replacing lost revenue, estimated at over $600 million, with “an upfront appropriation from [Ohio’s Department of Transportation] ending cash balance,” the General Revenue Fund, and, “if needed,” the Rainy Day Fund.

Ramaswamy also addressed a priority of tackling Medicaid fraud, as he aims to replenish funds with Medicaid fraud savings. “New funds from a federal agreement allowing Ohio to retain more of those savings can restore any funding drawn from the Budget Stabilization Fund and ODOT’s cash balance. All dollars will be pre-appropriated to ensure no project interruptions,” he posted.

“I will present a bill during the transition and push for passage when I take office on January 11, 2027. I’m prepared to call a special session if needed,” Ramaswamy added.

At the press conference, Ramaswamy mentioned both direct and indirect benefits of the proposed 90-day suspension. There’s the $165 “direct savings” for families with two drivers in that period, with diesel truck drivers saving $1,800, which Ramaswamy insisted was “real money.”

He also addressed costs families feel, adding, “in the environment we’re in right now, where families are working hard not just to make ends meet, we want them to thrive and be able to get ahead. They’re struggling even to make those ends meet.”

Ramaswamy acknowledged those concerns of “families feeling the strain” of high grocery prices when talking about those “indirect savings” as well, when he spoke of the cost of diesel for truck drivers.

McColley also pointed out that there’s “much needed relief” for farmers, and likewise addressed costs, pointing out “as we go out on the campaign trail, as we talk to our voters, as we engage in regular conversations with them, we understand this is something that we can do to make their life easier, to make their life more affordable here in the Buckeye State, and that’s what we’re setting out here.”

The gubernatorial nominee addressed how Republicans are going against “conventional wisdom” that state leaders couldn’t do much to address the issue.

Ramaswamy gave credit to Republican leaders joining him, pointing out that “Ohio is in a strong enough fiscal position to actually be able to afford this,” as he insisted such a plan “absolutely” is “realistic to achieve.” He went on to insist that “if we can do it, that in this moment means that we should.”

That point was echoed by other speakers, including Huffman, McColley and state Rep. Jim Thomas, all who reassured that the funds are there, and because of fiscally responsible state Republicans “Ohio has options to provide temporary relief without reducing necessary services,” and those funds “will be made whole,” Thomas said.

McColley reassured the plan can be done “without shortchanging local governments and their own construction programs, without shortchanging our own highway construction program here in the state of Ohio,” noting it’s “adding onto the progress” already made in other issues.

As he spoke, Huffman pointed out that the concepts addressed “are not new ones,” as state legislators have introduced bills on gas tax suspensions.

A common theme from cosponsors of those bills addressed how lawmakers are hearing from constituents about the strain they’re feeling and the need to lower costs. State Rep. Andrea White, in speaking to that, expressed a desire to do more in the state legislature, by suspending the gas tax.

“The pain is real that we’re feeling and stronger than ever because of the decisions in Washington. So that’s why now we need to take the time at the state level to do something that we can control,” White said.

For all of this talk of what’s “unprecedented,” Huffman touted how Ohio lawmakers have returned before from recess to pass proposals.

What is “unprecedented,” McColley spoke to, is having Ramaswamy as a nominee “who has stepped up without even being in the office to join hand-in-hand with Republican leadership in the state to deliver this much-needed relief on behalf of Ohioans with an actual plan to do it, rather than just empty rhetoric.”

McColley also offered a preview of their administration, noting he’s “confident that that’s going to continue to be the emphasis going forward with the Vivek Ramaswamy governorship starting in the new year.”