Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township drivers would save 38.5 cents a gallon on gas under competing state proposals to suspend Ohio's fuel tax.

Regular gas averaged $4.52 a gallon statewide as of Tuesday, Sept. 22, up from $3.02 in September 2025, according to AAA. Both Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic nominee Amy Acton want to pause the tax, though their plans differ on details and funding.

Ramaswamy proposed a 90-day suspension of the 38.5-cent gas tax and 47-cent diesel tax on Monday, Sept. 21, alongside Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley. The plan would replace lost revenue first from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) cash reserves, then the state's General Revenue Fund, and if needed, Ohio's $3.7 billion rainy-day fund.

The price tag: an estimated $640 million to $700 million, according to Huffman, as cleveland.com reported.

Acton called for an emergency gas tax holiday hours before Ramaswamy's announcement, according to Statehouse News. She said the relief "should not come at the expense of infrastructure funding" but had not specified how long her proposed holiday would last or how to replace the revenue.

How much would you save?

That depends on who's counting. Ramaswamy estimated the average Ohio driver would pocket $165 over 90 days, the Columbus Dispatch reported. A separate May survey by Scioto Analysis, conducted before the current price spike, put the figure closer to $80 for someone filling a 15-gallon tank once a week. The methodology behind the $165 estimate has not been published.

Drivers would still pay the 18.4-cent federal gas tax.

"The recent spike in diesel prices said we had to go now. We can't wait for the election. Diesel was the urgency," Ramaswamy said at a Sept. 23 news conference at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

What it means for local roads

Ohio's gas tax funds state and local road work, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other safety programs. The Ohio Department of Taxation distributes fuel-tax revenue monthly to every municipality, county and township. Under the formula, municipalities receive 42.86%, counties 37.14% and townships 20%.

Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township all receive a share. Both Montgomery and Blue Ash have road projects underway. Blue Ash approved a $2.1 million paving program in April covering Kenwood Road, Old Plainfield Road and streets in the Floral Subdivision. Montgomery is improving the intersection of Montgomery Road and Main Street with help from a regional transit grant.

Ramaswamy's plan pledges that monthly transfers to local governments would follow existing distribution formulas during the suspension. Whether those payments would arrive on their normal schedule is not spelled out in the proposal.

Legislative path and political backdrop

Huffman said the Ohio House will reconvene Wednesday, Sept. 30, to vote. The bill needs an emergency clause requiring two-thirds support in both chambers to take effect immediately. Republicans hold enough Senate seats but fall short in the House, where they need at least two Democratic votes to reach the 66-vote threshold.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 23, the bill had not been introduced.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat, said her caucus would support the measure if it provides relief. Gov. Mike DeWine has not committed to signing it and earlier this year blocked a similar attempt. DeWine told reporters he wanted to see full details and had asked ODOT for financial data.

David Brasington, a University of Cincinnati economist, warned in the May Scioto Analysis survey that gas tax holidays tend to create deferred maintenance. "It's like skipping a few dentist visits: it will save you some money upfront, but the resulting cavities will be more expensive to repair," Brasington said.

The Ohio House is scheduled to vote Sept. 30. Residents can contact their state representatives through the Ohio House's website at ohiohouse.gov.