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

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

“Soaring gas prices are sinking the budgets of families in our community and beyond,” Mueller said. “With a multi-billion-dollar budget surplus, the state has the ability and responsibility to offer relief to Michigan drivers. It’s the right thing to do.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently called on Congress to support legislation to suspend the federal gas tax.

“Instead of waiting on Congress to do something at the federal level, we can lower prices for Michigan drivers quickly by suspending the costlier state gas tax,” Mueller said. “This plan gives people a much-needed break at the gas pump without hurting any essential services or affecting scheduled road projects.”

Under the plan approved today, 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.

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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