COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s Republican legislative leaders and GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy announced Wednesday that they want to suspend the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days as fuel prices rise. Ramaswamy made the announcement at a news conference with his running mate, Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, and House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima. The proposal would require approval from two-thirds of the General Assembly. McColley and Huffman said they plan to call lawmakers back from recess for a special session, tentatively next Wednesday, to consider the legislation. The General Assembly is otherwise scheduled to remain out of session until after the Nov. 3 election. Ohio currently charges 38.5 cents per gallon on gasoline and 47 cents per gallon on diesel. The state’s gasoline tax ranks 14th highest nationally, according to the Tax Foundation. In Columbus, the average price of gasoline has reached $4.45 per gallon, while diesel prices have climbed to record levels. “Diesel prices, I think, were the final straw for us, and to say that against the backdrop of a budget where we have the capacity to do it, it made all the sense in the world to see this through,” Ramaswamy said. The gas tax is a major source of funding for Ohio’s transportation system, supporting road construction and maintenance as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The tax generated more than $2.7 billion between July 2025 and June 2026. Ramaswamy said the proposal would make up for the lost transportation revenue by shifting money from other state accounts, including the rainy day fund and existing transportation allocations. The announcement did not specify how much the plan would cost or identify the exact amounts that would be taken from each account. Gov. Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican, has historically opposed gas-tax holidays because of their effect on road funding. Ramaswamy said he has spoken with DeWine, who raised questions and offered suggestions about the proposal. The plan comes as the governor’s race turns toward household costs at the pump. Ramaswamy previewed the announcement Monday night, shortly after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton called for an emergency gas-tax holiday. Acton said Wednesday that if lawmakers return to Columbus, they should also take up legislation involving tax incentives for data centers, a proposal that has stalled at the Statehouse. Even if the gas-tax suspension passes, the savings for drivers would depend on whether fuel retailers pass the full tax reduction on to consumers. The measure would also leave lawmakers facing a longer-term question: how to maintain Ohio’s roads and other transportation services after the temporary holiday ends.