Ohio drivers could save 38.5 cents on every gallon of gas starting in October if state lawmakers approve a 90-day fuel tax suspension at a special session Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Diesel would drop by 47 cents per gallon. Regular gasoline averaged $4.34 a gallon statewide and diesel hit $6.75 as of Monday, Sept. 28, according to AAA, as WLWT reported.

The savings would land directly in the wallets of commuters across Indian Hill, Madeira, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Sycamore Township. But the suspension could also shrink the road-funding pipeline those communities depend on.

Both gubernatorial candidates pushed for the move. Democratic candidate Amy Acton called for a gas tax holiday on Sept. 21, writing on X that Ohio faces "an affordability crisis."

Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy unveiled a suspension plan roughly six hours later the same day. He partnered with Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley, who is also Ramaswamy's running mate.

Gov. Mike DeWine warned Sept. 26 that the plan could gut road funding. He told ABC 6 that tapping the Ohio Department of Transportation's reserves would be "devastating," estimating the cost at roughly $750 million over 90 days.

DeWine said he wants to see the final bill before deciding whether to sign it.

Ohio collected nearly $2.6 billion in motor fuel taxes in fiscal year 2025, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission. About 38% of that went to local government transportation projects, cleveland.com reported.

A 90-day pause would reduce statewide revenue by an estimated $640 million. No specific funding figures for Hamilton County's east-side communities were available.

Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski told 13abc his office alone would lose $1.5 million to $2 million. "It means that miles of roads will not be repaved," Pniewski said. "It means that maybe some personnel are going to be laid off."

Ramaswamy's plan would replace lost revenue first from ODOT's cash reserves, then the state's general revenue fund, then Ohio's $3.7 billion rainy-day fund if needed. DeWine has said the ODOT money is already committed to projects.

One procedural hurdle remains. An emergency clause allowing the law to take effect immediately would require two-thirds support in both chambers, as the Dayton Daily News reported.

Republicans hold supermajorities in the Ohio House and Senate but fall short of that threshold. Some Democratic votes would be needed. Without the emergency clause, the suspension would not take effect for 90 days after signing.

The special session vote is set for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Residents can contact their state representative or senator before the vote through the Ohio General Assembly's website.