The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Ohio’s leading small business advocacy organization, supports House Bill 850, which would reduce Ohio’s gas tax from 38.5 cents to 19.25 cents for three months. The legislation is sponsored by state Reps. Ty Mathews and Adam Bird, and is now being considered in the House Finance Committee. The rising cost of energy is a top concern for small employers and has a direct impact on daily small business operations.

“Small businesses welcome any financial relief from the high fuel costs and are encouraged by the introduction of House Bill 850,” said Jared Weiser, NFIB Ohio State Director. “The rising cost of fuel directly impacts small businesses, as these increased costs affect nearly every part of the supply chain and the price of doing business. Ohio’s small businesses thank Rep. Mathews and Rep. Bird for introducing House Bill 850 and urge lawmakers to advance this important legislation.”

NFIB supports a federal temporary suspension of gas tax collections and recently published an op-ed on the issue in the Washington Examiner. According to a recent NFIB energy survey, about 80% of small business owners across all major energy sources reported that energy costs significantly (very or moderately) impact their business. To manage increased energy costs, 58% of owners reported lower profits, and 52% reported higher prices as the most common way to absorb higher energy prices.