Michigan Candidates Urge Gas Tax Pause as Prices Hit $5

Gas prices in Michigan have surged to an average of $4.89 per gallon, with some areas hitting $5.00, significantly exceeding the national average of $4.46. In response, Mike Rogers and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, both candidates for the U.S. Senate, are calling for a pause on state and federal gas taxes. Rogers estimates such a move would reduce prices by nearly 71 cents per gallon, while Dr. Abdul El-Sayed argues that ending the war with Iran is the only way to address the root cause of the spike. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson also urged President Donald Trump to suspend the federal tax and end the conflict.

Economic analysts attribute the regional price hike to a combination of Midwest refinery outages and the diversion of gasoline to Canada, where prices rose more sharply following the start of the war with Iran. Professor Zachary Cohle noted that producers are chasing higher profits in the Canadian market, leaving Michigan with prices higher than almost every state except California.

Opposition to the tax pause remains strong among state leadership. Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall stated a pause is unlikely because 98% of the state's 52.4-cent per gallon tax funds the Michigan Transportation Fund. Professor Michael Belzer added that reducing the fuel tax would harm highway construction and repair while providing limited relief to consumers.