Ohio Gas Tax Suspension Debate
Ohio lawmakers face mounting pressure to suspend state gas and diesel taxes.
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Key Points
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Ohio Office of Budget Management official Pete LuPiba disputed the claim that ODOT has spare cash, saying its nearly $1.6 billion balance supports about $5 billion in open purchase orders and that “there is no money in the account that is not planned for future projects.”
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A Democratic leader proposed, as a long-shot alternative, redirecting $600 million in state aid earmarked for a new Cleveland Browns stadium to cover the lost fuel-tax revenue.
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House Speaker Matt Huffman said he would force a vote on the suspension even if he was unsure it had the required two-thirds support, saying: “We will have a vote when we call session.”
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Conserve Ohio cited a 34% increase in Ohio’s average electricity price since 2022 and urged lawmakers to impose a 12-month pause on new large data-center projects; the group is also gathering signatures for a 2027 ballot measure targeting data centers using more than 25 megawatts.
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The hastily organized session caught many rank-and-file lawmakers by surprise: legislators from both parties reportedly did not learn about the planned reconvening until Monday, and the gas-tax legislation had still not been formally introduced as of Wednesday.
Ohio lawmakers are being called back to Columbus on Sept. 30 to vote on suspending the state's 38.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47-cent diesel tax for 90 days. News and Sentinel reports the move aims to ease fuel costs ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, with both Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic nominee Amy Acton backing the measure. The suspension could slash state revenue by $640 million to $700 million over three months.
The hastily organized special session caught many rank-and-file lawmakers off guard. Ohio Capital Journal reports legislators from both parties did not learn about the planned reconvening until Monday, and the gas-tax bill had not been formally introduced as of Wednesday. House Speaker Matt Huffman said he would force a vote anyway, stating: "We will have a vote when we call session."
Where the $640 Million Would Come From
State officials are still debating how to cover lost tax revenue. Dayton Daily News notes proposals include tapping Ohio Department of Transportation reserves, the general fund, and potentially the $3.7 billion rainy-day fund. But Pete LuPiba, an Ohio Office of Budget Management official, disputed claims that ODOT has spare cash. He said the agency's $1.6 billion balance supports roughly $5 billion in open purchase orders, meaning "there is no money in the account that is not planned for future projects."
A Democratic leader proposed a long-shot alternative: redirect $600 million in state aid earmarked for a new Cleveland Browns stadium to cover the tax-revenue loss. The idea has gained little traction, but it highlights the fiscal challenge lawmakers face in passing a suspension that requires a supermajority vote in both chambers.
Both Parties Back Tax Relief, But Split on Details
Rare bipartisan support exists for the core idea of easing gas prices. Journal-News reports commercial truckers and business groups support the suspension, though county engineers worry about long-term road and bridge funding. Republican nominee Ramaswamy, Senate President Rob McColley, and House Speaker Huffman all back the measure. Democratic nominee Acton also endorsed it, signaling voters across the political spectrum want relief at the pump.
The measure needs a two-thirds supermajority to pass immediately, potentially requiring Democratic support in the House. This gives Democrats leverage to negotiate terms or demand concessions. Hometown Stations notes the vote could provide immediate relief to motorists and farmers, but critics argue the tax holiday undermines infrastructure investment and is timed for political gain rather than genuine policy reform.
Data Center Opposition Emerges in Special Session
Opponents of large data centers are also using the special session to push their agenda. Conserve Ohio cited a 34% increase in Ohio's average electricity price since 2022 and urged lawmakers to impose a 12-month pause on new large data-center projects. The group argued rising electricity demand from data centers is driving up power costs for residents and businesses.
Conserve Ohio is also gathering signatures for a 2027 ballot measure targeting data centers that use more than 25 megawatts of power. The combined push reflects growing frustration over energy costs in the state and shows how special legislative sessions can become vehicles for multiple policy agendas beyond the original call to session.
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