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Growing Number of States Taking Action to Respond to Spiking Fuel Prices; Wisconsin Isn't One of Them

Thursday, October 1st, 2026 -- 9:01 AM

(Rich Kremer, Wisconsin Public Radio) A growing number of states are taking action to respond to spiking gas and diesel prices.

But, according to Rich Kremer with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin isn’t one of them. States don’t have a lot of options to affect the prices at the pump, but a growing number are doing something as prices have soared amid the President’s ongoing war with Iran.

  • In Indiana, Republican Gov. Mike Braun issued an emergency order in May and suspended his state’s gas tax. The order has since been extended through Oct. 6.
  • Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, another Republican, declared a state of emergency Monday and suspended motor fuel taxes through Oct. 29.
  • State lawmakers in Ohio are calling a special session this week to vote on a 90-day gas tax suspension supported by the Republican and Democratic candidates running for governor.
  • In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation Monday allowing anyone to use dyed diesel, which isn’t taxed by the state because it’s designed for off-road farm equipment.
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, waived regulations to allow refineries to switch to winter-blend gasoline early. 

At the federal level, the President vowed in May to suspend the federal tax on gasoline, but never followed through. Competing legislation aimed at lifting the tax was introduced by Republican and Democratic members of Congress, but both remain stalled and neither bill got any votes from members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation.

So far in Wisconsin, leaders of state government haven’t called for lifting Wisconsin’s gas tax of 30.9 cents per gallon, which hasn’t changed since 2006. Doing so would require a special session of the Legislature, a bill that passes both chambers, and the governor’s signature.

Spokespersons for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, did not respond when asked by WPR if there were discussions about lifting the gas tax or taking other measures.

All three are leaving office at the end of their terms. Lifting gas taxes can offer temporary relief to customers, Gasbuddy.com founder Patrick De Haan told WPR, but it’s very expensive for states going that route.

“If you decide to suspend your gas tax, you’re going to need to figure out what part of your budget you’re going to find the money that you’re using in one area for another,” said De Haan. “So, states that have surpluses, it might be a little easier for a governor to be able to replace it, but some states it might not be.” In Ohio, the three month gas tax suspension is expected to cost around $726 million and lawmakers are looking to use surplus state budget funds.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Wisconsin, which has around half the population of Ohio, takes in around $1 billion in gas tax revenue every year. That means the state would lose nearly $90 million each month it wasn’t in effect.

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