Buckeye Reporter

As gas prices continue to increase greatly, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci is criticizing Gov. Mike DeWine for refusing to temporarily suspend the gas tax, which DeWine increased when he first became governor.

"Why is DeWine giving $2 billion in taxpayer dollars to Intel, but refusing to grant Ohio workers even a temporary relief from his gas tax, that he raised?,” Renacci said in a press release. “Lots of hard-working Ohio families need help right now. It's absurd that DeWine expects Ohio drivers to keep paying blue state-level taxes at the pump while gas prices are rapidly skyrocketing across Ohio.”

The average price of a regular gallon of gas in Ohio is $3.83 as of March 7, according to AAA, up from $2.70 one year ago. WKBN 27 reported that the cost has gone up 50 cents per gallon in one week.

“DeWine might talk a tough game about [Pres. Joe] Biden’s energy crisis, but he isn't willing to actually do anything to help,” Renacci said. “Maybe DeWine has been a career politician for too long to know how much of a relief this would be for working families, but I fully support a temporary suspension of the gas tax to help Ohioans weather Biden's energy disaster. How much higher does gas need to go for Mike to care?"

When Gov. DeWine first took office, he increased the fuel tax, which currently stands at 38.5 cents per gallon for gas and 47 cents for diesel. Ohio Republicans have proposed reducing the state's fuel tax rates over the next five years until they are 28 cents per gallon for both gasoline and diesel, Axios reported. DeWine opposes this reduction, saying that the taxes are needed for Ohio's infrastructure. 

Ohio's state gas tax is among the 10 highest in the country, according to January 2022 data from the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA). 

Ohio Republicans are trying to temporarily suspend the gas tax increase that DeWine introduced in 2019, according to the Ohio Press Network. State Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) is calling for support for State Bill 277, which would suspend the gas tax increase and the special registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicle owners. If it passes, DeWine is expected to veto SB 277. 

Renacci is a businessman who was once a U.S. representative for the 16th congressional district. He will challenge DeWine in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary on May 3.