Powell-area drivers will pay roughly 38.5 cents less per gallon of gas once Gov. Mike DeWine signs a bill Ohio lawmakers passed Wednesday, Sept. 30.

House Bill 519 suspends the state's 38.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax and 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax for 90 days, dropping both to a fraction of a penny. The bill cleared the Senate 26-5 and the House 78-16, with bipartisan support in both chambers, as 10TV reported.

House Speaker Matt Huffman told reporters Wednesday, Sept. 30, that DeWine plans to sign the bill Thursday, Oct. 1. An emergency clause means the suspension takes effect immediately upon his signature. DeWine's office confirmed he intends to sign, according to WSYX.

As we reported Sept. 29, the bill had been moving at unusual speed. Signal Ohio reported the idea was introduced and passed within nine days.

The tax holiday would run through approximately late December. Federal fuel taxes of 18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel remain in place.

How much will drivers save?

Estimates vary. The nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission pegged average savings at about $55 over 90 days, according to Cleveland.com. Legislative leaders cited a figure above $80.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 30, AAA listed Ohio's average gas price at $4.24 per gallon, about $1.25 higher than a year ago.

$725 million to cover road funding

To keep highway projects and local governments whole, the bill sets aside $725 million from state general revenue surpluses. The state's Rainy Day Fund will not be tapped, according to WSYX.

Gas stations are required to pass the savings to customers. The bill gives the Ohio Attorney General sole enforcement authority, and any retailer that pockets the tax break could face penalties for unfair or deceptive consumer practices.

Election-year politics

The bill moved fast, and not everyone was comfortable with the pace. Senate Republicans used a procedural move to end debate immediately after introducing the measure, blocking Democrats from offering floor amendments.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio questioned whether Senate President Rob McColley, who is Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's running mate, had a conflict of interest in shepherding the bill. McColley said the joint legislative ethics committee found the concern "without merit."

Still, 15 House Democrats voted for the bill. Antonio acknowledged the tension in her caucus.

"The members of my caucus that voted yes, even though this is a small relief for the people of Ohio, it was still important to give them that relief," Antonio said Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Both major-party candidates for governor had called for the tax holiday the week of Sept. 21. Virginia Schaus, a spokesperson for Democratic candidate Amy Acton, said Acton was glad the legislature acted with bipartisan support.

Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 6. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.