INDIANAPOLIS — Gas prices are not easing up. According to AAA, Indiana’s average gas price on Thursday is $4.61 a gallon. At the Statehouse, Democrats are still pushing to temporarily suspend the gas tax to give Hoosiers some relief.
The Indiana General Assembly is scheduled to return to work on Tuesday. It's the day set aside to typically override governor veto’s. The only way they could even address the gas tax is if Governor Holcomb turns Tuesday into a special session or calls a special session for another day.
In addition, legislation calling for a temporary suspension would have to be ready to go for lawmakers to vote on.
It's something Indiana Democratic legislators feel is needed.
"This is a good way we can help put money in people’s pockets," Democrat Rep. Justin Moed said. "Which means they are going to put it back in the economy to instead of the state just building up its surplus fund which is more then we have ever had in history. So, it seems like a good time to step up and help people out."
Indiana Republicans haven’t indicated if they are in favor of suspending the gas tax or not. One Republican State Representative said he would be interested in having a special session to discuss solutions though.
"I would like to see us get together and having a meeting on it for sure,” said State Rep. Jim Lucas, a Republican from District 29. “When you look at everything that’s happened so far with the tax, mainly the sales tax, that’s the one that has really exploded and gotten away from us.”
Representative Lucas didn’t indicate he’d be interested in suspending the gas tax even with the large surplus the state has, but he does think now would be good time for elected representatives to get together and find a solution to give Hoosiers some relief.
“For an Indiana Governor to suspend gas tax through a declaration of an energy emergency, the state must have an existing or projected energy shortfall that would jeopardize life, health and property," Governor Holcomb’s said in a statement earlier this week.
The governor indicated a shortage is not something that the state is currently having or will in the future.
WRTV reached out to the Governor’s office to see if he has made a decision on a special session and his press secretary said if he decides to call a special session the media will alerted.
-
University of Indianapolis launches new Behavioral Health Trauma certificate
The certificate specifically focuses on mental health professionals who plan to provide trauma counseling. It is obtained after three courses and nine total credit hours.
Josh Downs, Anthony Richardson team up to give Colts offense a jolt of energy
Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs welcomed last week's announcement that Anthony Richardson would return as Indy's starting quarterback.
Barrett scores season-high 39 as Raptors snap losing streak, beat Pacers 130-119
Benedict Mathurin scored 17 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Pascal Siakam had 25 points and 10 rebounds against his former team as the Pacers lost for the third time in four games.
New era of college football could help other teams replicate Indiana's rise
Indiana has made the type of turnaround that had only happened once before at the power-conference level over the last decade.
