As rising fuel prices continue to increase costs on Michigan families, state Rep. Diana Farrington and the Michigan House of Representatives today approved a plan to remove the state gas tax for six months.

House Bill 5570 would suspend the state motor fuel tax beginning April 1. By pausing the tax of 27.2 cents per gallon, the plan is estimated to save Michigan drivers about $750 million over the six-month period.

“Higher gas prices — caused by government crackdowns, rapidly changing global markets, and inflation — are tanking the budgets of Michigan families,” said Farrington, R-Utica. “Help is within reach, in the form of gas tax relief. As state coffers overflow, we can seize the moment and make gas more affordable for Michigan drivers.”

House passage of the plan comes despite a political cop-out by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who yesterday urged Congress to support current legislation that would suspend the federal gas tax temporarily. The federal tax is only 18.4 cents per gallon, and the Legislature’s plan would enable greater savings on each gallon of gas.

Farrington and the House also adopted House Resolution 250, calling for Gov. Whitmer and the federal government to support policies to enable energy independence in the United States.

The House approved HB 5570 with bipartisan support, and it now proceeds to the Senate, which is expected to approve the plan next week.

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