more than one House lawmaker tells me this is the first they’re hearing about getting (*not-yet introduced*) legislation through by next week.
both chambers are on recess through November. not always easy logistically to bring everybody back. we’ll see!
Gas is over $4.50 in Ohio today, diesel just hit a record $6.76, and if you fill up a 15-gallon tank once a week, you're paying about $300/year in state gas taxes alone. Truckers are paying thousands. Families badly need a real leader who takes action and delivers real relief, not just empty tweets. That’s why I have worked with Ohio lawmakers, including House Speaker Matt Huffman & Senate President Rob McColley, to create an Ohio Gas Tax Relief Plan that we’ll enact into law by no later than next week. Here's how it works (we’ll hold a joint press conference on Wednesday to discuss the details):
1. Suspend the full state tax for 90 days. Ohio's 38.5-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and 47-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel and other fuels.
2. Protect state and local road funding. Lost revenue would be replaced by an upfront appropriation from ODOT's ending cash balance, then the General Revenue Fund, and, if needed, the Rainy Day Fund. Actual payments will follow the complete existing formulas to protect federal matching funds, construction commitments, and winter maintenance.
3. Replenish the Rainy Day Fund with verified Medicaid fraud savings. In May, I laid out a detailed plan to combat Medicaid fraud. 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.
4. Make the relief visible and accountable. Supplier invoices must show the tax change. The Ohio Department of Taxation may offer credits for previously-taxed station inventory only when entirely passed through to customers, and will publish weekly pump-price comparisons and monthly reports on replacement road funding.
If the legislature doesn’t act this year, 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.
While Amy Acton continues to issue hollow statements without offering an iota of policy detail (and continues to hide from the debate stage), I’m working with our legislature to take action & provide real affordability relief to Ohioans.