Indiana State Senator Calls on Gov. Holcomb to Suspend Gas Tax

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 9:10 AM

Kentucky recently suspended their gas tax to provide some relief at the gas pump.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana State Senator has called on Governor Eric Holcomb to suspend the state gas tax.

Michael Griffin (D-Highland) made the request as gas prices have soured to over $5 per gallon nationwide.

“While I am most appreciative of the Governor’s attention to inflation relief, I fear that a $225 refund will prove insufficient for many Hoosiers in the long run.” Griffin said. “This additional money would only buy about 2.5 tanks of gas at Lake County’s highest price, and less than that for most trucks. The fact is, with costs of goods and services rising across the board, this will amount to nickels and dimes for struggling families. Pausing the gas tax would provide real, sustained relief for millions.”

Griffin added that the state has the ability and the opportunity to save Hoosiers real money while holding local communities and their infrastructure harmless, while retaining nearly $300 million of revenue surplus and without touching Indiana’s ongoing budgetary requirements.

Other states have suspended gas taxes to provide some relief at the pump. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently filed an emergency resolution to freeze the gas tax in the commonwealth.

Beshear proposed using funds from the upcoming General Fund budget surplus to make up for lost road fund revenues, which are collected through the state gas tax.