High gas prices are spurring states to waive taxes and regulations amid midterm election

Rising fuel costs linked to the conflict with Iran have pushed governors and legislators across the country to cut or pause taxes on gasoline and diesel, with affordability a leading voter worry heading into the midterms. An Associated Press review found roughly a third of states now offer some form of fuel tax relief, many acting only in the last week. AAA puts regular gasoline at $4.43 a gallon, about half again what it cost before the war began, and diesel at $6.41, close to a record, according to ABC News.

Ohio's legislature approved a 90-day suspension of its gas tax with bipartisan backing. Gov. Mike DeWine's office says he will sign it, ending the 38.5-cent gasoline and 47-cent diesel levies through year's end and drawing $725 million from the general fund to cover road and bridge spending. Republicans hurried back to the Statehouse after Democrat Amy Acton proposed a holiday and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, her opponent for governor, followed hours later with his own. Democratic Rep. Allison Russo called the move an election-year stunt that would save households about $55.

Georgia moved first, in March, and Gov. Brian Kemp has since renewed its break. Indiana, Utah, Illinois and Kentucky have smaller measures. Nine other states' governors eased rules on untaxed dyed diesel so farmers can use it on highways during harvest. California's Gavin Newsom ended the summer-blend fuel requirement early. Jeff Lenard of the National Association of Convenience Stores cautioned that pump prices may not fall immediately, since taxes are collected upstream.

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →