The gas tax comes back 2 months after you vote
Who has a plan for January 3?
Ohio’s 90-day gas tax holiday ends January 2, two months after Election Day. The 38.5¢ gas tax and 47¢ diesel tax come back January 3. We’re asking both major-party candidates for governor and every legislative leader the same three questions. Their answers go here, word for word.
The calendar
The tax returns before the new governor arrives
- Nov 3Election Day
- Nov–DecLame-duck sessionThe current General Assembly decides whether to extend the holiday.
- Jan 2Holiday endsLast day under HB 519.
- Jan 3Gas and diesel taxes return
- Jan 11New governor sworn inTerm begins the second Monday of January (ORC 107.01).
How the timing works
The next governor inherits whatever happens on Jan 3
The gas tax holiday passed as emergency legislation on Sept. 30 with votes from both parties. It runs through Election Day and ends Jan. 2. The new governor doesn’t take office until Jan. 11.
So the decision about what comes next belongs to the legislature and governor in office now, during the lame-duck session after the election. They can extend the holiday, let it end, or replace it with something else.
Whatever they choose, the next governor walks into it on day one. If the holiday lapses, the new administration starts with the gas tax already back, and it can’t bring relief back alone: that takes a new bill from the legislature, and making it take effect right away takes a two-thirds vote in both chambers. If the holiday is extended, the new administration starts with relief in place and a bigger bill to pay.
Either way, the choice is made before the new governor gets a vote. That’s why we’re asking everyone, in both parties, the same questions now.
The three questions
Same questions, everyone, both parties
- Will you support extending Ohio’s gas tax holiday during the lame-duck session, before it ends January 2?
- If not, what is your plan for Ohio drivers on January 3?
- Whichever you choose, how would you pay for it? The current holiday is offset by a $725 million transfer of state funds.
Their answers
Posted verbatim
For candidates and office holders
How to respond
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Our rules
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- A non-reply is listed as “awaiting,” never as a refusal.
- Prices come from one source each, statewide average, dated.