COLUMBUS – A House-Senate conference committee working on a compromise over a new state gas tax has delayed its work until Monday.
The committee is trying to iron out differences between an 11-cent increase proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine and House Speaker Larry Householder and a 6-cent increase proposed by Senate President Larry Obhof. All three are Republicans.
After the committee was delayed multiple times Friday, Rep. Scott Oelslager, a Canton Republican, announced late in the day without explanation that the committee would reconvene Monday, a delay that could mean some funding in the state transportation budget may not take effect on July 1.
DeWine’s office says the tax would rise by 11 cents on a deal reached with the speaker of the Ohio House Thursday but the Republican-controlled state Senate had not joined in as of Thursday night.
“I’m pleased that we have reached an agreement with the Speaker of the House on the transportation budget that will enable the Ohio Department of Transportation to improve and maintain safer roads, bridges, highways, and intersections across Ohio. I am hopeful that the Senate agrees to this plan as well.” –statement from Gov. Mike DeWine
DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said Thursday the deal also calls for a 20-cents per gallon increase for diesel fuel.
But Senate lawmakers aren’t on board yet. Householder says the current Senate proposal involves an 8.5 cents-per-gallon gasoline increase and a 13 cents-per-gallon increase on diesel.
The House and Senate in the meantime have agreed on more public transportation funding, adding $70 million a year, up from the current $33 million.
DeWine originally sought an 18-cents per gallon increase to improve Ohio’s roads and bridges.