Ohio Revenues Outpace Estimates as Gas Tax Holiday Hits the Pump |
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Ohio tax collections are running $230.8 million, or 3%, ahead of estimates through the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2027, giving the state a large cushion as the 90-day gas tax holiday gets underway. The Office of Budget and Management (OBM) reported September receipts of $2.6 billion, $201.6 million above projections. Key drivers include: - Non-auto sales tax, $156.2 million above estimates;
- Auto sales tax, ahead of projections; and
- Personal income tax, ahead of projections.
The gains add to the $745.4 million year-end surplus lawmakers tapped for the $725 million gas tax suspension under HB 519. OBM expressed confidence that the state can absorb the cost, though the full fiscal impact will not appear in reports until at least January. From Oct. 4 through Jan. 2, 2027, the state motor fuel tax drops from 38.5 cents per gallon for gasoline and 47 cents for diesel to a fraction of a cent. Retailers must pass the full savings to consumers, and violations may be referred to the Ohio Attorney General. Early results vary by region: - Statewide: AAA’s average fell to $3.87 Monday, down from roughly $4.20 a week earlier;
- Northeast Ohio: Cleveland’s AAA average dropped 10 cents overnight as the holiday began, but a Cleveland.com review found only 14 of 26 stations cut prices and five raised them; and
- Lag factor: some stations are still selling fuel bought before the holiday, when the tax had already been paid.
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 Strong revenues let lawmakers deliver relief without denting the state’s fiscal position. The harder test is at the pump, not in the tax code. Inventory lag explains some early gaps, but uneven price cuts weeks before the Nov. 3 election will draw scrutiny of retailers and the policy alike. Watch for Attorney General enforcement activity and OBM’s October revenue report in early November, the first look at how quickly the tax break shows up in the books. |
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Tressel Calls on Ohio Businesses to Back Student Fitness Challenge |
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Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is asking Ohio businesses and community organizations to support the more than 655,000 students taking part in this fall’s “Team Tressel Fitness Challenge.” Nearly 2,200 schools across all 88 counties are participating, more than triple the 183,000 students who took part when the program launched in 2025. The challenge runs through December 4. Businesses are encouraged to partner directly with local schools and provide incentives recognizing student achievement, including: - Gift cards;
- Tickets to sporting events;
- Fitness equipment; and
- Rewards for classrooms that reach participation milestones.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Farm Bureau, and Ohio Business Roundtable have all backed the initiative. The Ohio Chamber has pointed to the link between student development and workforce readiness, noting that goal setting, discipline, and perseverance are qualities employers value. A list of participating schools is available here. Regional and statewide partnership opportunities are also available. |
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 The challenge offers employers a good way to strengthen ties with local schools while investing in Ohio’s future workforce. Beyond physical fitness, the program reinforces the discipline and goal setting that carry into the classroom and the workplace. |
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| GOP Hold Advantage in Defending Statehouse Seats |
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Legislative Republicans and their allies accounted for more than $2.21 million in advertising spending and reservations recorded by AdImpact in its post-primary reporting window, according to the original report. Democratic spending captured by the tracker remained limited at the reporting cutoff. AdImpact data show GOP-aligned groups account for nearly all reported general election outlays in competitive Statehouse contests. By comparison, legislative ad spending totaled about $4.9 million during the entire 2024 general election period. Total spending for the 2026 cycle is approaching $7 million, against $9.4 million for the full 2024 cycle. Senate Republicans are driving the investment, concentrating on four districts: - 27th District: $948,725 supporting Rep. Steve Demetriou against Democrat Mike Roberto;
- 3rd District: $462,500 in coordinated advertising for Sen. Michele Reynolds against Democrat Stacie Baker;
- 13th District: $378,200 backing Rep. Gayle Manning against Democratic Rep. Joe Miller; and
- 29th District: $215,290 supporting Sen. Jane Timken against former Democratic Rep. Thomas West.
Democratic reported activity remains minimal. Roberto’s $1,600 in digital ads is the only Senate Democratic spending shown in early October reporting. House spending totals about $213,260 since the primary, with $204,690 favoring Republicans. The 10th District has drawn $49,140 in coordinated radio advertising for Republican Denise D’Angelo, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Mark Sigrist. Some reported House figures reflect residual spending from contested GOP primaries in the 93rd and 96th Districts. |
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 Republicans are setting the terms of the debate. GOP campaigns are defining their candidates on property taxes, utility costs and affordability, the pocketbook issues that resonate most with Ohio voters. With more limited resources, Democrats are hoping the sour mood of the electoral will provide several wins on election day. |
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Access our curated list of federal grants, including the EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Program (up to $12 million) and the DOJ Justice Reinvestment Initiative: Strengthening State and Local Operations to Reduce Crime and Recidivism (up to $4 million). |
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