North Columbus News

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci recently criticized Gov. Mike DeWine for refusing to temporarily suspend the state's gas tax, which costs the average Ohio family almost $500 per year.

According to Axios, when DeWine first took office he raised the gas tax, which currently stands at 38.5 cents per gallon for regular fuel and 47 cents for diesel. Getting that gas tax passed was something ABC reported was one of his "first victories as Governor," according to a Mar. 8 Tweet by Team Renacci.

Renacci has blasted DeWine for not suspending the state gas tax as Ohio residents are paying more at the pump. As a result of skyrocketing inflation, the average price of a regular gallon of gas in Ohio has risen to $4.076, up from $2.693 one year ago. 

"DeWine might talk a tough game about Biden's energy crisis, but he isn't willing to actually do anything to help," Renacci said in a statement. "Maybe DeWine has been a career politician for too long to know how much of a relief it would be for working families, but I fully support a temporary suspension of the gas tax to help Ohioans weather Biden's energy disaster. How much higher does gas need to go for Mike to care?"

Ohio's state gas tax is one of the top 10 highest in the country, according to January data from the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA).

An Ohio family of four spends an average of $4,742 each year on gas, according to a release from Renacci's office. That total includes $218 in federal tax and $458 in Ohio state tax.

"I'm just trying to find the lowest prices I can. It's ridiculous," one Ohioan said, according to the press release. "The gas hurts because it's literally doubled within the last year," said another.