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Since Ohio suspended the state's tax on gasoline, the situation for drivers has gone from bad to worse.
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Ohio is now $4.41, according to Gasbuddy. That's up from $3.02 a year ago.
In late September, the Ohio legislature suspended the state's gas tax for 90 days, hoping to stem the rising prices, a move that will cost the state about $725 million in revenue.
Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped 6 cents in the last week to $4.27, according to the American Automobile Association.
"The drop is fueled by the transition to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce and costs less for consumers," AAA said. "But high crude oil prices are preventing steep declines at the pump. Currently, the price for a barrel of crude oil is nearing $100 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz. This month is poised to set a record as the most expensive October ever for gas prices following similar records set in August and September of this year. "
The gas tax suspension will be in effect through the upcoming holidays, John Fortney, spokesman for the Ohio Senate Majority Caucus. Republicans are the majority caucus in both the Ohio House and Senate.
"We can evaluate more at the start of the new 137th General Assembly," he told The Center Square. "Think about how much more people would be paying if the Democrats had prevailed. A majority of their caucuses in the General Assembly voted against the gas tax holiday, which is estimated to save Ohioans $725 million at the pump."
State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus, was among the legislators who voted against the gas tax suspension, calling it a political stunt.
She and other Democrats instead favored using $1 billion allocated for the Cleveland Browns stadium to provide a $150 residential energy rebate, stronger enforcement to make sure gas tax savings reach consumers and expanded homestead property tax relief.
The gas tax suspension was not a freeze on gas prices, "so, it was expected that the price would continue to fluctuate," Jill Del Greco, spokeswoman for Gov. Mike DeWine, told the Center Square. "For this reason, the law does have consumer safety protections in place to prohibit price gouging and give consumers the full benefit of the tax holiday. If there is to be any discussions of extending the tax suspension, they would likely happen closer to the expiration of the law," the spokeswoman said.