Ohio Gov.: House's Smaller Gas Tax Increase "Doesn't Cut It"

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is seeking a steeper gas tax increase than the 10.7 cents per gallon under a bill passed by the Ohio House.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

(Columbus, Oh.) - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says an Ohio House of Representatives proposal to increase the state gas tax “doesn’t cut it.”

DeWine has proposed increasing the gas tax by 18 cents, plus an annual adjustment for inflation. The tax increase, he says, would raise $1.2 billion to fund transportation needs across the state.

A proposal which passed the House earlier this month would increase the gas tax by 10.7 centers per gallon over two years. It includes no indexing for inflation.

DeWine, the state’s new Republican governor, said Wednesday his proposal’s gas tax increase is a “bare minimum” needed to keep up with road and bridge repairs.

“We have to step up. And if we don’t, we’re just fooling the people of Ohio. The one thing I owe the people of Ohio is the truth and to be very, very candid with them. And the truth is, the House bill as passed doesn’t cut it,” DeWine says.

The Senate is expected to announce its own transportation funding proposal by next week. According to Statehouse News Bureau, the Senate plan’s gas tax increase may only be between five and seven cents.

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