LANSING (WWJ) -- There is a push in Lansing to ease gas prices for Michiganders who are paying, on average, more than $4 a gallon.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to suspend Michigan's 27-cent gas tax from April 1 through the end of September.
The House voted 63-39 in favor of the legislation, which comes as gas prices soar both at home and across the U.S. due to inflation and sanctions against Russia.
The legislation now moves to the Senate. Should it pass that chamber, it would go to the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who on Tuesday was among several governors to call for the federal gas tax of 18 cents per gallon to be suspended.
It is not clear whether Whitmer would sign the bill if it reaches her.
When asked about the state gas tax, a governor's office spokesperson said the best way to bring down gas prices right now — without impacting the ability to fix the roads — is by suspending the federal gas tax.
Supporters of the legislation say the $750 million that would be lost in tax money is available in the state's "rainy day fund." Rep. Samantha Steckloff of Farmington Hills is concerned about that, though.
"I'm really sad about this vote. It's a tough vote because so many people are struggling, but we have to be responsible," she said. "Currently there is nothing in the bill that backfills this money. Now I hear rumors of it being backfilled by the general fund, but unfortunately, it's not written down anywhere."
House Speaker Jason Wentworth told WWJ's Roberta Jasina Tuesday morning he was expecting the legislation to pass the vote.
Wentworth said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has "failed again in leadership" by asking the federal government to suspend the federal gas tax, while the same could be done at the state level to help Michigan families now. "So we're going to send that to her desk to show some real leadership and provide relief for people at the pump," Wentworth said.
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