COLUMBUS — Ohio lawmakers plan to vote next week on eliminating the state gas tax for three months, a move that would give drivers relief as fuel prices surge to levels not seen in recent memory.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is calling on state lawmakers to eliminate the state’s tax on gas, diesel and other fuels for 90 days. The change will require support from two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber for it to take effect immediately.
If approved, Ohio would halt charging 38.5 cents per gallon on gas and 47 cents per gallon on diesel and other fuels for 90 days. Drivers would continue to pay an 18.4-cent federal gas tax.
Gas prices have surged amid the war involving Iran, which disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil transit route. Diesel prices have spiked because of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have damaged oil refineries and reduced supply, according to the International Energy Agency.
The average price for regular gas in Ohio was $4.48 per gallon on Sept. 22, slightly higher than the national average, according to AAA. Ohio’s prices are up from $4.14 per gallon a week ago, $4.06 per gallon a month ago and $3.02 at this time last year. Global diesel prices are hitting record highs, with diesel in Ohio approaching $7 per gallon.
Ramaswamy estimated the change would save the average Ohio driver $165 over 90 days, though another analysis put the savings closer to $80. Because diesel powers much of the nation’s freight transportation, higher fuel costs can push up prices for consumer goods across the board.
The proposal has drawn attention beyond Ohio, as several states weigh their own responses to the fuel price spike. A vote in the Ohio legislature next week would make the state one of the first to act.