Governor: Ohio would lose $587 million if state gas tax was suspended for 3 months

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - On Wednesday, President Joe Biden proposed suspending the federal gas tax for three months in an effort to provide relief as prices per gallon continue to inflate.

The president is also calling on states to suspend their own gas tax, encouraging additional financial relief for motorists heading into the busy summer travel months.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke against the president’s proposal, saying it would be a “major blow” and would result in the delay of infrastructure projects throughout the state.

“It would be a major, major blow to our ability to continue to fix highways, continue to fix dangerous intersections, continue to work to save lives, continue to work to make Ohio a state to transport goods as well as people very efficiently,” Gov. DeWine said.

According to the governor, the Ohio Department of Transportation estimated that the state would lose a total of approximately $587 million.

• $355 million meant to fund state of Ohio projects
• $232 million meant to fund local, county projects

Ohio’s current state gas tax is 38.5 cents per gallon.

Congress would have to approve the president’s request if the federal gas tax, which is 18.4 cents, were to be suspended.

The governor discussed the state gas tax suspension proposal during a press conference in Columbus on Thursday morning. He also announced new Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles services that are now available online, including the ability to renew driver’s licenses and state identification cars on a more “user-friendly” website.

Both Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Husted have worked while in office to improve the Ohio BMV experience by introducing initiatives that include the “Get In Line, Online” program and the express kiosks located throughout the state.

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