Governor Mike Braun Extends Indiana Gas Tax Holiday via New Energy Emergency Declaration
Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order on Wednesday to extend Indiana's gas tax holiday for at least 30 more days. The suspension of the 58.9 cents per gallon tax was set to expire on Friday, but the administration announced the new declaration of a statewide 'energy emergency' to keep prices low for drivers. Governor Mike Braun cited disruptions to global oil shipping lanes caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Canadian wildfires as the primary reasons for the extension. This move allows the governor to bypass the need for a special legislative session to authorize the extension. To offset the lost revenue, the administration announced that funds from the state's growing surplus will be used to replenish the money that would have gone toward road projects. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Todd Huston and Attorney General Todd Rokita, supported the move. While Democratic legislators welcomed the cheaper gas, they noted that the state will eventually need to use other tax sources to cover the lost revenue.