Jun 7, 2022 - News
Gas prices reach $5
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Gas prices have officially passed $5.
- Michigan's average price per gallon was $5.06 as of June 6, according to AAA — 19 cents higher than the national average.
By the numbers: Average gas prices shot up 74 cents per gallon since last month and are $1.74 higher than this time last year.
- Drivers are paying more in Wayne County than anywhere else in Michigan at $5.17, followed by Washtenaw and Oakland counties at $5.10 and $5.14, respectively.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers have been working on a deal to bring relief at the pump since March.
- Senate Republicans recently approved a bill with Democratic support to suspend the state's 6% sales tax and the 27 cent per gallon tax on gas until September.
Zoom in: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to tie the proposed suspension to one of her proposals to dole out $500 rebate checks for working families, the Detroit News reports.
- During interviews at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Whitmer told reporters she's aiming for the end of the month to reach a deal with the Republican-led legislature.
- Senate Democrats effectively killed a Republican proposal to cut the state's 27-cent gas tax in April after the bill passed both chambers.
- Whitmer opposed that proposal over concerns that it could delay ongoing construction projects.
Bottom line: Whitmer has said she supports suspending the state’s 6% sales tax on gas as long as the proposal doesn't jeopardize road repairs, construction jobs, or funding for local schools.