Gas Tax Increase Unveiled

Gov. DeWine’s administration recommends increasing the state gas tax by 18 cents a gallon, beginning July 1 and annually adjusting that tax for inflation to provide sufficient funding for maintenance of roads and bridges. Ohio’s Department of Transportation director, Jack Marchbanks, introduced the $7.43 billion transportation budget proposal to the House Finance Committee. He said revenue raised the first year, by increasing the current 28-cent tax to 46 cents, equates to roughly $1.2 billion and will be split between the department and local governments.