INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mitch Daniels on Friday backed off his stance opposing any change in the state's sales tax on gasoline.

Daniels recently resisted calls by Democrats to suspend the tax in light of climbing gas prices.

With the price of regular unleaded gas nearing the $4 mark in much of Indiana, Daniels said suspending the tax is now something he won't rule out.

"We all understand that we're talking pennies. It wouldn't make much difference," Daniels said. "State government cannot control the global price of gasoline, but we're not powerless either. We can return more money to taxpayers, as we did in the property tax cut of this year."

Daniels said Hoosiers are already in better shape than residents of 32 states that have raised fuel taxes within the last two years.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson supports a cap on the sales tax on gas.

A campaign spokesperson told 6News Friday that Daniels should suspend the tax, but added that it is ridiculous that he has "stalled for so long."