House Democrats support gas tax suspension, question timing

Today, Gov. Mike Braun announced a 30-day suspension of Indiana's gas use tax, which hit 17.2 cents per gallon in April, amid geopolitical crises leading to gas prices skyrocketing to nearly $4.25 a gallon in Indiana.

In 2022, Statehouse Democrats repeatedly called for the suspension of the gas tax starting in March when the tax hit 18.2 cents per gallon and peaked at 29.4 cents in August. Statehouse Republicans refused to suspend the tax then, even when the state was flush with federal cash.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement:

"It's clear that Hoosiers are in desperate need of economic relief, and I'm in favor of anything that can provide that, including suspending the gas tax. However, it's been clear for a long time that Hoosiers are struggling, and it's frustrating that it had to get this bad before Indiana Republicans took action.

"Back in 2022, House Democrats called for a gas tax suspension when gas prices soared due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our calls went unanswered by the Republican supermajority, who instead allowed Hoosiers to continue draining their wallets at the gas pump.

"I want to be clear: House Democrats support this suspension, but Gov. Braun and Statehouse Republicans are only cleaning up a mess that they helped create. Hoosiers are tired of unstrategic and unfocused foreign wars that cost American lives, drive up gas prices and raise the cost of living.

"This isn't leadership, it's a last-minute scramble to keep up the Indiana GOP's charade of being the 'fiscally responsible' party."