State Rep. Mitch Gore simulates state gas tax suspension

INDIANAPOLIS – In response to the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas hitting a record-breaking $4.42 on Friday, State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) is today calling on Gov. Eric Holcomb and his colleagues in the Indiana General Assembly to address state gas tax suspension on Technical Corrections Day.

Gore’s pleas coincided with an event simulating how much Hoosiers could save if the Indiana GOP chose to act after declining to move forward with Democrats' proposal in March. The Eastside legislator visited a local Speedway and handed out $15 gift cards to represent savings for Indiana House District 89 constituents if a state gas tax suspension were in place.

“The General Assembly must pass, and the Governor must sign, a temporary gas tax suspension next week when we convene to make technical corrections,” Gore said. “With a recent May revenue report predicting the state surplus to reach $6.1 billion in the near future, state lawmakers have the capital, they just need to find the political will to do so. It’s immoral to not act amidst the struggle of working-class folks being unable to afford to go to work, pick up their kids from school or buy groceries as gas prices continue to soar.”

Gore is asking the governor to authorize legislators to address the gas tax when the General Assembly convenes on May 24. Other states across the country, including Georgia and Maryland, have taken steps to temporarily suspend their gas tax and provide relief for consumers.