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New Plan For the Pump Save Email Print
Michigan House Republicans will introduce a plan to give drivers some relief at the pump.
Posted: 7:08 PM May 11, 2008
Last Updated: 7:22 AM May 12, 2008
Reporter: Tiffany Teasley
Email Address: Tiffany.Teasley@wilx.com

A | A | A

It costs Kathy Kendall nearly $85 to fill up her gas guzzling truck when her tank is empty.

"It gets very expensive every single week," said Kendall, who lives in DeWitt.

But Michigan House Republicans will introduce a plan Monday that could bring some relief when you refill.

"The current gas tax for the state on Michigan is 18.4 cents per gallon of gas ;plus there's a six percent sales tax on top of that," said Rep. Paul Opsommer, DeWitt (R).

And with Michigan's gas tax already the 5th highest in the country, the new plan would suspend the extra sales tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

"When you start hitting $3.89 a gallon, you're really looking at hurting business, you're looking at hurting the entire economy here in the state of Michigan, if we can save you that six percent, that's more money in your pocket," Opsommer said.

That's means gas could drop as much as 10 to 20 cents a gallon depending on the price. Opsommer says the plan would cost nearly $300 million, and while it would decrease the state's gas tax revenue he says it wouldn't cut into other services.

"Our proposal also includes putting the $350 rainy day fund that we had last September to make up that difference," Opsommer said.

Representatives say the temporary fuel fix will pump up the economy and drivers agree.

"There are a lot of just house hold things that you have to kind of not do because it's so expensive," Kendall said.

"I think it would be great if they could at least give us a break," Mary Crombach said.

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Posted by: john Location: detroit on May 13, 2008 at 08:52 AM
6 cents a gal.but then we will see 9 cents sale tax down the road.to many mistakes have been made by state gov.so is this a good idea?comsidering past records of mess ups.it is not going to change the economy of mich.we are in to many problems.it will not bring down food prices.it will not give people enough money to spend on the items needed.gas needs to come down to below 2$ a gal to ever do that.things went up way to fast.so many have lost so much.and remember winter will be back,and what will home heating fuel cost?it will be so much more.along with gas prices,food prices,ect.it won't stop the federal tax from going up,or the other tax mich gets off it.just 6 cents sale.pennies while the other tax goes up.just makes the people think someone is trying to do something.when the later on effect if this happens we will not like.won't stop gas prices from going up and they will.more money for the ones invested.read between the lines.election yr?tell us anything.bribery?

Posted by: Barry Location: Delta Township on May 12, 2008 at 02:57 PM
If politicians really wanted to do something about oil/gas prices, they would stop taking campaign contributions from the oil companies and the Dealer's Association. Just think then their (politicians) legislative votes wouldn't be owned by these groups. Maybe, just maybe, our elected officials would work for the people. NAH!!!!!

Posted by: dave Location: east lansing on May 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I don't agree that this is a good idea. If gas is cheaper people will buy more. If demand goes up, prices go up. All this will do is make it more difficult to repair the roads next spring.

Posted by: Lisa Location: Holt on May 12, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Wow, a whole $1.60 to $1.70 for me with a 17 gallon tank in my car. I think I'll turn around and put that huge whopping amount right back into the Michigan economy! Oh wait, the cost of groceries and medical insurance is going up, guess not.

Posted by: not happy Location: mich on May 12, 2008 at 10:03 AM
if we do this cut so be it.is just a cover up of a serious problems.is it a deal?ERITREA pays 9.58 gal.NORWAY 8.73.but venezuels 12 cents,Iran 40 cents,saudie 45 cents,KUWIT 98 cents.was around may 1,08.now mich wants to get rid of 6 cents sale tax,for a few months.but keep state tax,but yet no one talked about the 18 cents federal tax over the states tax.they say oil producing countries have cheaper gas prices.why don't the usa then?we have oil setting and not being drilled.gov owned land has so much oil on it.why aren't we drilling it?just some.are more refineries needed?or is that slowing down to do the new fuel thing?so many prices,so many stories,world wide what.the bottom line is people are going hungry,many have cut back on so many things.children in countries as well as the usa are not getting many things needed.while our usa governments do so well with the pay they get.is oil and gas prices that bring up food prices worth the trouble they are causing.whats our gov thinking?

Posted by: mjg Location: lansing on May 12, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I think that gas prices should be at a fixed rate of $5 per gallon for the next 15 years with the condition that there be an increase in minimum wage by at least $3/hr. and the 6% sales tax be waived on gas during this time. I believe the economy will have a chance to recover if this is adopted across the nation.

Posted by: James Location: Stockbridge on May 12, 2008 at 08:31 AM
The state reps is planning to give the gas companies to rob us of another 24 cents a gallon. The state should not be touching the rainy day fund as a tax relief. We are going to have a shortfall this year.

Posted by: Jay Location: Jackson on May 12, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Why don't we just get some refineries built or rebuild what we have and start refining what we have and fix this whole mess? I forgot, if that happens then none of this greed can be justified.

Posted by: kim Location: holt on May 12, 2008 at 07:48 AM
being the fith highest in the states says bussiness as usual.plus high cigg tax,plus many little taxes many states don't have.85$ to fill a truck?will save? and what will that buy?not much with food prices,and all winter bills that will be back.eventually that 6% sales tax will be asked for in new budget.something that sounds good?and it won't cut out something?if the state is that well off,where is the funding for so many things.why are schools cutting back and teachers being laid off?why are food banks going without?why aren't enough jobs comming to mich?and who's funding the new fuel programs?gas prices are to high as it is.I hate to see what the costs of it will be this winter,plus how high fuel bills will be to heat homes.what does the gov have planned to help in the winter?that will be even bigger problems.what will food cost then?considering we are in the top 5 states with high gas tax,and considering how bad of shape mich is already in.should we lower the gas tax down full time?

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