Senate of the Philippines

Ohio lawmakers suspended the state's gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days under House Bill 519, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on Oct. 1, replacing the lost revenue with roughly $725 million from the state's anticipated general fund surplus. The measure, pushed rapidly through the legislature after Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic nominee Amy Acton both called for gas-tax relief ahead of the Nov. 3 election, suspends the 38.5-cent gasoline tax and 47-cent diesel tax through Jan. 2.

According to Ohio's nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission, the average driver could save up to $55 over the full three-month period, though a Yale University study suggests only about 80% of such savings typically reach consumers, with the rest absorbed by oil companies and retailers. Critics, including some lawmakers from both parties, have called the move an expensive election-season gesture that does little to address larger affordability concerns, such as rising electricity costs tied to Ohio's growing data-center industry. The tax holiday expires before Ohio's next governor takes office on Jan. 11.

Ohio's Republican-controlled legislature convened a special session and passed a bill suspending the state's 38.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax for 90 days, funded through the general fund surplus rather than road-project money, addressing Gov. Mike DeWine's earlier concerns. The Legislative Service Commission estimates average drivers could save up to $55 over the suspension period.

Republicans used procedural moves to keep debate limited to the gas tax bill, blocking Democratic attempts to introduce broader affordability measures, including utility bill relief, a bigger child tax credit, a larger homestead exemption, and a resolution urging President Trump to end the war in Iran, which Democrats blame for rising fuel prices. Democrats also proposed redirecting sports-stadium funds, including money earmarked for the Cleveland Browns' Brook Park stadium, toward consumer relief, and pushed for a data center moratorium sought by advocacy group Conserve Ohio. Senate President Rob McColley said such issues risked derailing the gas tax bill. Democrats call the tax holiday an election-year move benefiting Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who trails Amy Acton in polling.

Ohio lawmakers are advancing legislation to suspend the state's gas tax — 38.5 cents per gallon on gasoline and 47 cents on diesel — for 90 days, as fuel prices run about $1.25 higher per gallon than a year ago. The measure, folded into House Bill 519, would use $725 million in surplus state revenue to offset lost transportation funding. The push is championed by GOP gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Senate President Rob McColley, his running mate, and comes just days before early voting begins for the Nov. 3 election.

A requirement for gas stations to itemize tax savings on receipts was dropped as impractical. Republicans hold large majorities in both chambers but need a two-thirds vote for immediate effect, requiring at least one House Democrat's support. Democrats have floated redirecting stadium-related unclaimed funds instead, though they haven't said they'd block the bill over it. Some Democrats call the move a political stunt. Gov. Mike DeWine, who opposed an earlier plan to tap transportation reserves, has signaled openness to signing the bill if funding is handled responsibly.