State Rep. Ben Frederick and the Michigan House on Wednesday approved a plan to suspend the state’s tax on gasoline and diesel fuels to provide immediate financial relief to Michigan drivers.

Frederick, of Owosso, said Michigan’s gas and diesel taxes are among the highest in the nation at 27 cents per gallon. The plan approved Wednesday removes the tax for the next six months.

“With gas prices soaring, families are facing a lot of uncertainty as their budgets get tighter and tighter,” Frederick said. “By suspending the state gas tax, we provide direct relief to people when they need it most.”

Under the plan approved by the House, Michigan drivers stand to save approximately $750 million between April 1 and Sept. 30, which is more than they would save from a pause in the smaller federal fuel tax. Giving drivers a break from both fuel taxes would amount to 45-cents per gallon savings.

The House also adopted a resolution calling on the governor and attorney general to support energy independence, including ending their opposition to the Great Lakes tunnel project.

A recent study by the Consumers Energy Alliance shows just how critical Line 5 is to Michigan’s energy independence. If the pipeline were shut down, Michigan families and businesses would spend at least $1.8 billion a year more on gasoline and diesel and more than 6,500 Michigan jobs would be in jeopardy.

“As fuel prices climb higher and higher, I shudder to think about the devastating effect shutting down Line 5 would have on Michigan families if the governor got her way,” Frederick said. “We must continue to move forward with the tunnel project and encourage the safe operation of Line 5.”

House Bill 5570 now advances to the Senate, where a vote is planned next week to send the measure to the governor’s desk.

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