Whether the Legislature will move forward with a temporary suspension of the state’s gasoline tax in the wake of spiking fuel prices remained unclear Thursday after a Senate session took no action on the issue.
The Senate adjourned Thursday after taking votes on several pieces of legislation that had been sitting, some for months, leaving the issue for next week at the earliest.
Bipartisan support for suspending the gas tax has grown in recent weeks, as prices have steadily risen in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to wage war with Iran earlier this year.
Last month, gas prices spiked roughly 60 cents per gallon in a week, briefly topping $5 per gallon for gasoline and nearly $7 per gallon for diesel fuel.
Earlier this week, House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, panned the idea of a fueltax suspension. He has argued that such a move would undermine the state’s long-term road funding plan, which relies on fuel tax revenue.
Hall said earlier this week that any possible Senate vote was “not a serious vote” and that a three-month gas tax suspension would likely cost about $700 million.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a suspension of his state’s fuel tax into law Thursday.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, told reporters on Monday that a suspension could be a possibility, and a conversation would be had with lawmakers on the appropriateness of such a move.
A request for comment left Thursday with a Brinks spokesperson about the status of talks on a gasoline tax suspension was not immediately returned.
Among those who have backed a suspension of the gas tax in recent weeks include Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers as well as Republican gubernatorial candidate John James and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson.
James has repeatedly called for a suspension of the state and federal gas tax recently.
In a Thursday post to X, formerly Twitter, James accused Democrats of punting on the issue.
“Our Republican-led neighbors in both Ohio and Indiana have suspended their gas tax to give their people relief at the pump.” James said. “Democrats in Lansing should’ve done this weeks ago. Instead, Jocelyn Benson’s running mate SENT LAWMAKERS HOME. When I’m Governor, saving Michiganders money will be my top priority. We will put an end to the political games that have failed us the last 8 years.”
