Braun Declares New Energy Emergency, Extends Gas Tax Holiday Again

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has extended the state's gas tax holiday for another 120 days. The move is due to a new energy emergency declared by Braun, citing disruptions in global oil shipping lanes caused by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and wildfires in Canada.

The previous energy emergency had allowed Braun to suspend taxes since April, initially waiving the state's gas tax, and later adding the excise tax to reduce prices. This time around, Braun has announced that local governments will be reimbursed for their share of the suspension costs.

So far, the state has spent around $500 million on lowering fuel prices, with an estimated cost of $140 million per month while taxes are suspended. Braun believes this relief is necessary to ease the burden on Indiana residents, who rely heavily on gas as a must-have in their budget.

Braun's decision to extend the gas tax holiday has garnered support from lawmakers, including Republican Senator Ryan Mishler and House Speaker Todd Huston. However, Democrat Rep. Gregory Porter expressed concern that Braun is ignoring the primary cause of spiking gas prices: the ongoing conflict with Iran.