Braun Extends Gas Tax Suspension Through September
Indiana Governor Mike Braun extended the state's gas tax suspension until September, bypassing previous time limitations. Initially signed on April 8, the emergency order suspended the 7% sales tax on gas for 30 days to address the impact of the war in Iran on the energy market. Braun cited disruptions to global oil shipping lanes caused by the war in Ukraine and issues from Canadian wildfires as a new basis for suspension.
The move extends the pause on the state's 36-cent-per-gallon gas tax, which was first instituted in May. This means Hoosiers will continue to enjoy the roughly 60-cents-per-gallon reprieve until at least September 5. Braun stated that his top priority is affordability and that he will reevaluate in 30 days to determine whether the pause on gas taxes will continue past September 5.
Attorney General Todd Rokita backed the legality of Braun's actions, saying 'nothing in Indiana's emergency powers statutes prohibit the Governor from declaring separate emergencies based upon different factors.'