By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
As I travel throughout the district talking to folks and attending meetings of local government and other forums, the main issue I keep hearing about is affordability. Many Hoosiers are really struggling to get by, and I believe state government must do everything in its power to get out of the way and help our citizens succeed.
That’s why I supported Gov. Braun’s gas tax holiday, which has resulted in Indiana having the lowest gas prices in the nation. As of Thursday, the average price of gasoline in Indiana was $3.48 per gallon.
Thanks to prudent stewardship of your tax dollars and substantial reserves, the state has the flexibility to provide temporary relief while maintaining our other financial obligations. Since gas taxes support state and local transportation funding, including roads and bridges, one of my main concerns with this action is ensuring local governments still receive the funding they need to maintain roads, bridges and critical infrastructure. I made my concerns known, and I’m pleased that the legislature’s continued focus on fiscal responsibility has allowed the state to reimburse local governments nearly $38 million, with more to come.
During my tenure as your state senator, I have voted for a balanced budget and other policies to keep taxes low and government living within its means – just like all families in Indiana do.
I am grateful that my support for this action has resulted in substantial savings at the pump for Hoosiers, and I will continue to focus my efforts on helping make life more affordable for the great people of Indiana.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns by email at s48@iga.in.gov or by phone at 1-800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48,
which includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
