DECATUR — Gov. Mike Braun’s decision to suspend both of Indiana’s gasoline taxes for 30 days is expected to bring modest but noticeable relief to drivers in Adams County, where pump prices have climbed sharply over the past two weeks.
The order pauses the state’s 36‑cent‑per‑gallon excise tax and the monthly sales‑tax component, which jumped to 23 cents per gallon in May, according to reporting from 21Alive, FOX59/MSN, and WOWO Radio. Combined, the suspension amounts to roughly a 12.4% discount at the pump.
Stations in Decatur, Monroe, and Berne have been posting prices in the $4.60–$4.80 range, depending on the day and delivery cycle. Any drop will be closely watched by commuters who travel daily to Fort Wayne, Bluffton, and Van Wert, as well as by local businesses with fuel‑heavy operations.
Braun previously resisted pausing the excise tax, noting that it funds major road and bridge projects — including work in the Fort Wayne INDOT district, which covers Adams County. WOWO reports this is the first time he has suspended both taxes at once.
The 30‑day window covers the Memorial Day travel period, typically one of the busiest weekends for local stations along U.S. 27 and U.S. 224. Whether the relief continues into June depends on fuel prices and whether lawmakers return for a special session; the governor’s authority to pause the sales tax is capped at 60 days.
For now, Adams County drivers should begin seeing adjusted prices as stations cycle through existing inventory.