Overview
- Governor Mike Braun directed his administration on Tuesday to make cities, towns and counties whole for gas tax revenue lost when he suspended the state gas tax in April.
- State Budget Director Chad Ranney will seek a transfer from the State Highway Fund at the July 21 Board of Finance meeting to cover April and May shortfalls, with the Comptroller set to distribute payments within five to seven business days after approval.
- Braun tasked Secretary Lisa Hershman, the Office of Management and Budget, the State Budget Agency and the Department of Revenue to calculate exact reimbursement amounts while the Comptroller’s Office prepares to send funds.
- The administration says similar transfer requests could follow at August and September Board meetings if the suspension continues, and it aims to complete full repayment to local governments by November 1.
- The tax suspension has lowered pump prices by about $0.62 per gallon for drivers and Braun says he is weighing whether to extend the holiday past its July 7 expiration as he monitors volatile fuel prices tied to Middle East developments.