Craig Statement on Gas Tax Holiday Legislation

Today, state Senator Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 519, a bill that was amended at the last minute to include language from Senate Bill 475 to temporarily suspend the state’s gas tax on gasoline and diesel.

I am deeply troubled by what has happened today. This is a disgraceful political ploy to circumvent my Democratic colleagues and myself from introducing crucial and practical amendments to a bill that would have helped to create a more affordable Ohio, said Craig. 

Through the leadership of Dr. Amy Acton, this policy was proposed before this bill was considered by the legislature. While a temporary suspension of the gas tax may slightly remediate the effects of Trump’s Iran War, it is only a start. I drafted an amendment to increase support for our food banks because Ohioans deserve significantly more assistance than just gas tax relief, as our families are struggling to put food on the table. Food pantries across the state shoulder the immense responsibility of feeding 1.4 million of our residents, not just over the course of a year, but every three months. Food banks are fundamental to our state, and it is devastating that they were not included in our relief efforts today. 

Republicans blocked Democrats from speaking to the bill or allowing them to offer prepared amendments to address the affordability crisis and take meaningful action to help Ohioans, including providing mortgage and utility assistance; reducing fees for EV owners; urging Congress to end the war in Iran; appropriating funds for food banks; banning child marriage; providing free breakfast and lunch to K-12 students; expanding access to childcare voucher programs; and using the allocated Browns stadium funding to cover the cost of the gas tax holiday.

House Bill 519 now heads to the Ohio House for concurrence.