LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate declined to hold a vote on a proposal to temporarily suspend the state’s 52-cent-per-gallon gas tax during its legislative session on Thursday.
Despite mounting bipartisan pressure to address rising fuel costs, Senate Democratic leadership wrapped up the two-and-a-half-hour meeting without taking action on the tax holiday. Prior to the session, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks had left the door open to a 90-day suspension to provide consumer relief, but the body ultimately adjourned without advancing the measure, leaving drivers to face elevated prices at the pump.
State Representative Jamie Thompson called out democrats for failing to bring the proposed legislation to a vote
The proposed tax pause was designed to ease the financial strain on consumers, as fuel prices in Michigan have hovered around $4.50 to $4.60 per gallon due to ongoing global oil disruptions.
However, the proposal faced intense scrutiny regarding its fiscal impact, as it would cause an estimated $600 million deficit for road maintenance and infrastructure projects.
While some lawmakers suggested utilizing the state’s Rainy Day Fund to substitute the lost funding, groups like the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association strongly warned that the suspension would inflict severe long-term costs on the state’s road repair efforts.
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