Antonio Statement on Last-Minute Session for Gas Tax Holiday

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after Republican legislative leaders announced a last-minute session to pass a temporary halt to the state’s gas tax. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton first proposed a gas tax holiday. However, the Republican response and timing are notable.

“This appears to be a Hail Mary attempt from Republicans to gain favor from voters because they know they have an unpopular gubernatorial candidate,” said Antonio. “Democrats are prepared to come back and make life easier for Ohioans however we can, but the reason gas prices are so high is not just because of the gas tax. The Republicans’ reckless and unnecessary war in Iran has caused fuel prices to skyrocket. Ohioans have been asking for help for months. Despite cancelling Senate session just two weeks ago, Republicans now want to call the legislature back on a week’s notice on the heels of troubling polling data to pass an emergency gas tax holiday. It appears the real Republican emergency is their candidate, not the needs of Ohioans.”