As gas prices spike, candidates for Ohio governor want state lawmakers to slash the gas tax rate to give drivers some relief at the pump.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton was the first to call for a gas tax holiday. But Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy detailed a plan to suspend Ohio's gas tax for three months and is working with Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature to pass it quickly.
Ohioans are feeling the pain at the pump. On Sept. 21, the average price for regular gas in Ohio was $4.52 per gallon, slightly higher than the national average, according to AAA.Ohio's prices are up from $4.16 per gallon a week ago, $4.09 per gallon a month ago and $3.04 at this time last year.
In response, Ramaswamy wants state lawmakers to
suspend Ohio's 38.5 cents-per-gallon gas tax and 47-cents-per-gallon tax on diesel and other fuels for 90 days. Ohio's gas tax is the 14th highest in the country, according to the Tax Foundation. Drivers also pay an 18.4-cent federal gas tax.
Ramaswamy proposed replacing the lost revenue with money from the Ohio Department of Transportation, state taxpayer dollars and, if needed, the rainy-day reserves. Ohio nets about $2.6 billion annually in fuel tax revenue, which pays for road repairs and safety projects.
State lawmakers must approve any cut to the state gas tax, and they aren't scheduled to vote on legislation until after the Nov. 3 election. But Ramaswamy wants to pass the cut "by no later than next week," and Ohio's top legislators said in statements that they'll work with the GOP gubernatorial nominee.
"I'm grateful that future Gov. Ramaswamy is already stepping up to the plate to lead, and I look forward to working with him to enact his plan into law immediately," Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said in a statement provided by the Ramaswamy campaign.
The rising cost of gas
Gas prices have spiked since the Iran War disrupted transportation through the Strait of Hormuz, a major chokehold for oil trade. Congress isn't expected to approve a federal gas tax holiday, and President Donald Trump recently called the high gas prices"a very inexpensive price to pay" for the Iran War.
That's left relief to the states. Leaders in red and blue states have reduced or suspended taxes on gasoline, sometimes for months, amid rising prices. Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Utah have temporarily slashed what drivers pay at the pump.
But Ohio's leaders, so far, haven't followed suit. In May, several GOP lawmakers proposed a three-month reduction in Ohio's gas tax, but House Bill 850 has yet to receive a committee hearing. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Ty Mathews, R-Findlay, and Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, would reduce Ohio's gas tax to 19.25 cents per gallon and its diesel tax to 23.5 cents per gallon.
Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has opposed suspending the state's gas tax, saying it would take money away from needed road improvements and safety measures.
What Ohio governor candidates say about gas prices
Acton, a Democrat, was the first to call for a gas tax holiday, but provided few details in her Sept. 21 news release.
"Ohioans are hurting. I’m hearing stories of folks who are unable to get to work or go to the doctor because they can’t afford to fill up their tank,” Acton said in a statement. “Ohioans are the hardest-working people I know, and we can offer Ohioans some temporary relief without compromising on investing in our infrastructure."
"My out-of-touch billionaire opponent is telling us that rising costs are just a ‘buzzword’, but Ohioans can always count on me to lower costs and put our families first," she added.
Affordability has been a key issue in the 2026 races as Ohioans struggle to pay for rising property taxes, gas prices, hospital bills and groceries.
"Every trip to the grocery store, every fill-up at the pump, every monthly bill costs too much. Families badly need a real leader who takes action and delivers real relief to Ohioans − not just empty statements," Ramaswamy said.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio governor candidates want gas tax holiday as prices at pump surge
