Ohio Gov. DeWine Rejects Proposal to Suspend State Gas Tax Amid Near-$5 Prices
Why It Matters
With gasoline prices approaching $5 per gallon in parts of Ohio, a debate over suspending the state’s motor fuel tax has put the governor and at least one House Republican on opposing sides of a politically charged infrastructure and cost-of-living question. The outcome will affect both consumer fuel costs and the state’s ability to fund road maintenance and construction.
The dispute also carries broader electoral implications, with Governor Mike DeWine acknowledging that rising energy costs and inflation could weigh on Republican candidates in upcoming elections.
What Happened
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly rejected a proposal to temporarily suspend the state’s gas tax, which is currently set at 38.5 cents per gallon for gasoline and 47 cents per gallon for diesel. The governor made his opposition clear in recent public remarks, arguing that the revenue is essential for road construction, highway maintenance, and pothole repair.
The proposal originated with state Rep. Ty Mathews, R-Findlay, who said he has been discussing a possible three-month suspension of the motor fuel tax with some of his colleagues. Mathews framed the measure as a short-term relief effort for consumers and the trucking industry, noting that many trucking companies operate in Northwest Ohio and are being squeezed by the elevated fuel costs.
“It’s not just a tax where one portion of the population feels that; most people are feeling this, not the pump,” Mathews said in public remarks. “They’re going to start feeling it at the counter when they’re paying for goods.”
DeWine pushed back firmly, warning that a suspension would do lasting damage to Ohio’s road infrastructure. “I think it would be a very grave disservice to the people of the state of Ohio to suspend that user tax,” DeWine said, “and I think Ohioans would feel the pain of that in the months ahead, as our roads deteriorate.”
By the Numbers
Several figures frame the scale of this debate:
- $5 per gallon: Approximate gasoline prices in parts of Ohio that prompted the relief discussion
- 38.5 cents per gallon: Ohio’s current motor fuel tax rate on gasoline
- 47 cents per gallon: Ohio’s motor fuel tax rate on diesel fuel
- 3 months: The proposed duration of the tax suspension under Mathews’ concept
- 30%: The reduction in purchasing power of state gas tax revenue since 2020, according to DeWine, due to inflation
Zoom Out
Ohio’s debate mirrors discussions playing out in other states as fuel prices climb in response to geopolitical disruptions affecting global oil markets. Gas tax suspension proposals have surfaced in multiple states during prior price spikes, with mixed results — critics consistently argue that the relief is modest at the pump while the infrastructure funding losses are significant and long-lasting.
DeWine’s inflation argument adds a layer to the debate: even without a suspension, rising costs for materials, labor, and energy infrastructure projects are already straining state transportation budgets nationwide. Ohio’s situation illustrates how inflation erodes the real value of fixed-rate fuel taxes over time, complicating road funding even in periods of normal prices.
Mathews referenced geopolitical tensions — specifically a crisis involving Iran — as a driver of current fuel prices, framing the tax suspension as a temporary measure to provide relief while international conditions stabilize.
What’s Next
Rep. Mathews indicated he remains open to negotiating with the governor on alternative forms of relief, stopping short of fully abandoning his proposal. He acknowledged that the Ohio Department of Transportation would likely oppose any gas tax suspension.
No formal legislation has been introduced as of this report. DeWine’s firm opposition means any measure would face a significant obstacle before reaching a vote. The governor also acknowledged, after repeated questioning, that high fuel costs and broader inflation could be a meaningful factor for Republican candidates in upcoming elections — suggesting the political pressure on both sides of this debate is unlikely to ease soon.