Freeze Michigan's 6% Sales Tax On Gasoline, Whitmer says

MICHIGAN — Governor Gretchen Whitmer called on state lawmakers to freeze the state's 6 percent sales tax on gas, the governor's office announced Friday. The news comes after state legislators passed a measure to temporarily suspend the state's 27-cent-per-gallon tax, a package Whitmer signaled she will veto.

"These are tough times, and Michiganders need relief," Whitmer said. "I’m ready to work across the aisle with the legislature to negotiate a bipartisan solution that cuts taxes and lowers costs for drivers, seniors, and working families."

Whitmer did not say how long she would propose suspending the state's sales tax on gasoline, but indicated that immediate action would save Michiganders money at the pump.

"A short-term pause is a fiscally-responsible action we can take that will provide drivers relief at the pump right now – not next year – while also protecting funding for road repairs and saving tens of thousands of good-paying construction jobs," Whitmer said.

A package to temporarily suspend the state's 27-cent-per-gallon of gas tax cleared the state's legislature earlier this week, but Democrats argued it would cost the state about $725 million with no plan to replenish the lost revenue, which is largely used to fund road repairs.

Whitmer reiterated Friday she will not support any legislation that jeopardizes road repairs, construction jobs, or funding for local schools.

However, Republicans argued said they are looking to replace lost state gas tax dollars in a similar way the federal measure proposes, in part by highlighting the state's $7 billion budget surplus.

The effort by Whitmer to suspend the state's sales tax on gas may have bipartisan support in the state's Senate, but is likely to face opposition to the state's House, where the Republican-led chamber argued motorists would save more if the per-gallon tax is halted.

As of Friday afternoon, the average price of a gallon of gas in Michigan was $4.17. The Metro Detroit region remained among the highest areas in the state for a gallon of gas at $4.19.