Vivek Leads and Delivers Real Solutions, While Acton Offers Tweets
Vivek will hold joint press conference with legislative leaders including Ohio Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley on Wednesday to describe legislation that will be introduced this week
COLUMBUS, OH — Vivek Ramaswamy, in conjunction with Republican leaders across Ohio including House Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley, unveil their Gas Tax Relief Plan for Ohioans, offering concrete solutions to provide relief from rising prices at the pump. The plan calls for a 90-day suspension of Ohio’s motor fuel tax to provide affordability relief to families.
With regular gasoline averaging more than $4.51 today and diesel at a record $6.76, a family filling a 15-gallon tank each week pays roughly $300 a year in state gas taxes alone. An owner-operator driving 100,000 miles at 6.5 MPG pays about $7,200 a year in Ohio diesel taxes — costs ultimately passed along to every Ohioan when they shop for groceries and other basic goods.
“I’ve partnered with Ohio’s legislative leaders to create a sensible plan to immediately reduce prices at the pump for Ohioans. Every trip to the grocery store, every fill-up at the pump, every monthly bill costs too much. Families badly need a real leader who takes action and delivers real relief to Ohioans – not just empty statements,” said Vivek. “I am working with Ohio’s legislative leaders to enact this Gas Tax Relief Plan into law by no later than next week.”
“I’m grateful that future Governor Ramaswamy is already stepping up to the plate to lead, and I look forward to working with him to enact his plan into law immediately,” said Ohio Speaker Matt Huffman.
“This is a preview of how a Ramaswamy administration will operate – bold, decisive leadership with strong action to make Ohioans’ lives more affordable,” said Ohio Senate President Rob McColley. “We look forward to working with our colleagues to enact this plan into law immediately.”
While Amy Acton continues to issue hollow statements without offering the policy details to back them up, Vivek has worked with legislative leaders to craft a specific, actionable plan to provide relief for Ohioans.
Details of the proposed legislation will be announced at the press conference on Wednesday, with the intention of enacting it into law immediately thereafter.
How It Will Work
1. Suspend the Full State Tax for 90 days
Vivek’s plan will suspend Ohio’s 38.5-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and 47-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel and other fuels.
2. Protect State and Local Road Funding
Lost revenue would be replaced by an upfront appropriation from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s ending cash balance, then the General Revenue Fund, and, if needed, the Rainy Day Fund. Monthly transfers would use the existing statutory distribution formulas, including required deductions and debt service. Actual payments will follow the complete existing formulas to protect federal matching funds, construction commitments, and winter maintenance.
3. Replenish the Rainy Day Fund with Verified Medicaid Fraud Savings
In May, Vivek laid out a detailed plan to combat Medicaid fraud. The new funds from a federal agreement allowing Ohio to retain more savings from fighting Medicaid fraud can be used to restore any funding drawn from the Budget Stabilization Fund and ODOT’s cash balance. Importantly, however, all dollars will be pre-appropriated to ensure no project interruptions.
4. Make the Relief Visible and Accountable
The plan must require supplier invoices to show the tax change. The Ohio Department of Taxation may offer credits for previously-taxed station inventory only when entirely passed through to customers. It should also publish weekly pump-price comparisons adjusted for wholesale costs and neighboring-state taxes, and monthly reports on replacement road funding.
If the legislature does not act this year, Vivek, if elected will present a bill during the transition and push for passage when he takes office on January 11, 2027. He is prepared to call a special session if the Legislature does not act.
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