West Chester commuters on the I-75 corridor could save about 38 cents a gallon starting in October if lawmakers approve a 90-day gas tax suspension Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The special session in Columbus, which we previewed Sept. 24, follows weeks of pressure from both candidates in the governor's race. State Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester) has called Ohio's gas-tax-funded transportation budget "crucial to keeping businesses humming, the workforce flowing, and Ohioans safe on the roads." He made that statement during a March 2023 debate on the state transportation budget. Lang has not publicly commented on this specific suspension proposal.

Ohio's gas tax rate is 38.5 cents per gallon for unleaded and 47 cents for diesel, according to the IFTA fuel tax matrix. As of Monday, Sept. 28, AAA reported the statewide average at $4.34 for regular and $6.75 for diesel.

Republican candidate for governor Vivek Ramaswamy announced the plan Sept. 23 alongside Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), who is also Ramaswamy's running mate. Democrat Amy Acton had called for an emergency gas tax holiday the week of Sept. 22.

Ramaswamy's proposal would replace the lost revenue through an upfront appropriation from the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) ending cash balance, WLWT reported. Supporters have not specified how much money is available in that account.

Gov. Mike DeWine has not said whether he would sign the bill. He has expressed concern that the gas tax funds road projects across the state, according to WLWT.

Huffman dismissed Acton's separate push to also take up a data center moratorium during the special session. "If that was a serious proposal, if it was anything other than electioneering, she'd be standing at a podium like this, answering all the questions from all of you," Huffman told reporters Sept. 23, according to Statehouse News Bureau.

Neighboring Indiana offers a cautionary note. That state's gas tax suspension has saved drivers nearly 60 cents per gallon since April, but the Build Indiana Council says the resulting shortfall has surpassed $530 million in lost infrastructure funding. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has extended the suspension five times.

If the Legislature passes the bill and DeWine signs it, the suspension would take effect in October.