Ohio Governor Rejects Proposal to Suspend State Gas Tax Amid $5 Prices
Gov. Mike DeWine refuses to suspend Ohio’s gas tax despite $5 prices, citing infrastructure needs while Rep. proposes three-month relief.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Governor Mike DeWine has rejected a proposal to temporarily suspend Ohio’s state gas tax as prices reach or near $5 per gallon across the state, setting up a debate over how to provide relief to drivers facing mounting fuel costs.
Ohio House Rep. Ty Mathews, R-Findlay, has been discussing with colleagues a possible three-month suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax. The current tax stands at 38.5 cents per gallon for gasoline and 47 cents per gallon for diesel.
“It’s not just a tax where one portion of the population feels that; most people are feeling this, not the pump,” Mathews said. “They’re going to start feeling it at the counter when they’re paying for goods.”
Governor Defends Infrastructure Funding
DeWine opposes the suspension plan, arguing that gas tax revenue is essential for maintaining Ohio’s transportation infrastructure. The governor emphasized the importance of keeping roads, highways, and bridges in good condition.
“We like to have good roads, and we like to be able to drive, and we also know that when we have huge holes in our roads, that can have a real impact on your car,” DeWine said.
The governor noted that due to inflation, state dollars are now 30 percent less effective than they were in 2020, making the tax revenue even more critical for infrastructure projects.
“I think it would be a very grave disservice to the people of the state of Ohio to suspend that user tax, which is really what it is, and I think Ohioans would feel the pain of that in the months ahead, as our roads deteriorate,” DeWine stated.
Economic Pressures Drive Proposal
Mathews pointed to the impact on Northwest Ohio’s trucking industry, saying the high fuel costs are making operations much more difficult for companies in the region. Marathon, the major petroleum company headquartered in his district, has not been consulted about the proposal, according to the representative.
“My hope is the crisis in Iran ends, hopefully soon, and this is just a temporary Band-Aid, for that,” Mathews said, referring to international events affecting fuel prices.
The representative questioned the effectiveness of maintaining the gas tax if high prices discourage driving. “Obviously there’s gonna be some pushback with ODOT, it’s just at the end of the day, are we doing the right thing?” he said. “This, at least, will show the people of Ohio that we are trying to do something for them.”
Despite the disagreement, Mathews indicated willingness to work with the governor to find alternative forms of relief for Ohio drivers.
Political Implications
When asked about potential electoral impacts from the Iran conflict and rising gas prices, DeWine initially avoided direct response but eventually acknowledged the possibility. The governor noted that economic factors, including inflation and employment, consistently influence political outcomes.
The debate over gas tax suspension reflects broader tensions between providing immediate consumer relief and maintaining long-term infrastructure investment as Ohio grapples with both rising fuel costs and ongoing transportation funding needs.
