Ohio passes 90-day gas tax holiday as states respond to fuel price surge

Ohio lawmakers approved a 90-day suspension of the state's 38.5-cent gasoline and 47-cent diesel taxes on Wednesday with broad bipartisan support. Governor Mike DeWine plans to sign the measure, which redirects $725 million from the general fund to cover road and bridge projects normally paid for by fuel taxes.

The average price of regular gasoline reached $4.43 per gallon on Wednesday, up about 50% since the war with Iran began, while diesel averaged $6.41 per gallon, near a record high. The increases have made affordability a leading voter concern ahead of the midterm elections.

“Democrats criticized Ramaswamy for taking credit for Acton's idea, while Ramaswamy's allies said his plan had substance and Acton's consisted of "tweets."”

Including Ohio, about one-third of U.S. states have implemented some form of fuel tax relief in the past week, according to an Associated Press review. Approaches vary: some states suspended taxes entirely, others reduced them temporarily, and several targeted relief only to farmers, loggers, and users of off-road diesel.

The Ohio legislation became a flashpoint in the governor's race to succeed term-limited DeWine. Democratic candidate Amy Acton called for a gas tax holiday last week; Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy announced a similar plan hours later. Democrats accused Ramaswamy of taking credit for Acton's idea, while his allies said his plan had substance and hers consisted of "tweets."

Ramaswamy's running mate, Senate President Rob McColley, used a procedural maneuver to cut off debate on Wednesday, suggesting Democrats were preparing only "theatrics." Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio objected to the accelerated process.