AAA reported a $4.74 national average for regular gas on Sept. 23, up 11 cents in a week. Of 17 states pursuing relief, five enacted measures this year, though Georgia’s has expired; proposals are pending in Ohio and Massachusetts, while 10 others have no statewide cut.
Georgia’s suspension ran from March 20 to June 2 and lowered prices by about 33 cents per gallon. Illinois froze a scheduled fuel-tax adjustment through Dec. 31; Indiana suspended its gas excise and usage taxes, saving nearly 60 cents per gallon through Oct. 5. Kentucky froze a tax increase due in January and declared an emergency measure cutting gas prices by 10 cents per gallon. Utah cut its gas tax 15 percent through Dec. 31. Diesel averaged $6.52 nationally, up nearly 90 cents in a month.
Ohio lawmakers are considering Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s proposal to suspend the tax for 90 days. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey proposed a two-month suspension of the state’s 24-cent gas tax, which requires legislative approval. Gas-tax revenue funds road construction and maintenance; Maryland Democrats rejected a relief proposal that WBAL reported could save drivers money but leave a $100 million transportation-fund deficit. Tax Foundation’s Adam Hoffer estimated drivers receive 80–90 percent of a tax cut through lower prices.
