Ohio lawmakers haven’t been able to come to an agreement over how much to raise the state’s gas tax.
The committee of House and Senate lawmakers planned to meet again Friday morning, trying to come up with a workable plan for the transportation budget. But with the deadline fast approaching, the committee scheduled three consecutive meeting times and delayed each one without explanation.
Gov. Mike DeWine wanted an 18-cent-per-gallon gas tax hike, tied to inflation, but the House is only willing to increase it by 11 cents for passenger cars and 20 cents a gallon for diesel trucks. Under the deal, those increases could go into effect immediately rather than being phased in over time, but wouldn’t be tied to inflation.
Republican House Speaker Larry Householder says lawmakers don’t want to raise taxes but he says it’s the responsible thing to do. Speaking late Thursday, he chided the Senate for not doing the same.
“When you come here, you’ve got to put on your big boy pants,” Householder said. “You’ve got to pull your binkie out of your mouth and you’ve got to make tough decisions.”
DeWine said in a statement Thursday, DeWine said he and the House agree on that plan.
"I'm pleased that we have reached an agreement with the Speaker of the House on the transportation budget that will enable the Ohio Department of Transportation to improve and maintain safer roads, bridges, highways, and intersections across Ohio," DeWine wrote.
But the Senate wouldn't agree to that deal. Senate Communications Director John Fortney said the majority of the calls Senators are getting oppose the gas tax.
“Well, the conference committee obviously is to work out differences between the House and the Senate, not the House and the Governor’s office," Fortney said.
Householder says the current Senate proposal involves an 8.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase and a 13-cent-per-gallon diesel tax increase.
There are other obstacles toward an agreement, such as eliminating front license plates, fees on hybrid and electric vehicles, and rules on red light cameras. The House and Senate have reportedly agreed on more public transportation funding, adding $70 million a year, up from the current $33 million.
The transportation budget must be signed before 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Updated: March 29 at 4:12 p.m.
