Commuters along the I-75 corridor through Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale and Woodlawn could save 38.5 cents on every gallon of gas if Ohio lawmakers pass a 90-day fuel tax suspension when they reconvene Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The bill would freeze the state's 38.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax for three months. House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, estimated the pause would cost Ohio between $640 million and $700 million in revenue normally earmarked for road maintenance, the Dayton Daily News reported.

That money matters locally. Ohio collects about $2.6 billion a year in fuel taxes to fund road repairs and safety projects, according to the Columbus Dispatch. ODOT is currently planning a $126 million I-75 lane shift through the corridor.

The lost revenue would be covered first by tapping ODOT cash reserves, then the state's general revenue fund, and if necessary the rainy-day fund, Cleveland.com reported. Sources differ on the rainy-day fund balance, placing it between $3.7 billion and $4 billion.

For the suspension to take effect immediately, the bill needs an emergency clause requiring two-thirds support in both chambers. Republicans hold that margin in the Senate but fall short in the House, meaning GOP leaders need at least a few Democratic votes.

Huffman said at a Sept. 23 press conference that he plans to force a floor vote regardless. "We will have a vote when we call session … Sometimes, folks tell me, 'I just can't vote for it,' and you put it up and they vote for it," he said.

Both major-party candidates for governor support the suspension. Ramaswamy first outlined the plan Sept. 21 and appeared with Huffman and McColley at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 23. Democrat Amy Acton called for the same measure on Sept. 21, and her campaign accused Ramaswamy of copying her proposal.

The timing has drawn criticism. Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio said in a Sept. 23 statement that Republicans canceled Senate sessions two weeks earlier and are now rushing back "on a week's notice on the heels of troubling polling data," according to the Journal-News. The general election is Nov. 3.

Gov. Mike DeWine has not committed to signing the bill. He told reporters on Sept. 22 that he wanted to see full details and had asked ODOT for financial data on the impact. DeWine blocked a separate gas tax moratorium attempt earlier in 2026, Cleveland.com reported.

Gas prices have climbed sharply. Regular gasoline averaged $4.52 per gallon in Ohio as of Sept. 21, up from $3.04 a year ago, according to AAA data cited by the Dispatch. Diesel hit a record near $6.77 per gallon. The Dispatch attributed the spike partly to disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Five other states have already suspended or reduced their gas taxes in 2026: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Utah.

No Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale or Woodlawn officials have publicly commented on the proposal. The House vote is set for Sept. 30, and whether DeWine would sign the bill remains an open question.