How much money could Whitmer's proposed gas tax cost you?

GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. - Drivers may soon be paying more at the pump. Governor Gretchen Whitmer plans to call for a $45-cent gas tax increase in the state of Michigan to help fix our roads.

Right now, drivers pay a little more than $26-cents per gallon in gas tax in the state. And if Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal passes, that number would nearly triple.

In addition to that, motorists also pay a 6% sales tax on gas in Michigan.

“We’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t,” Josephine Singleton of Swartz Creek stated.

“It might help but I don’t think anyone’s going to like it (laughs),” said Jim Baldwin of Flushing.

This is how people at the pump reacted when hearing about the governors call to boost the state’s gas tax to $45-cents per gallon. Many feeling uneasy about the proposal.

“I’m 61-years-old and since I’ve been driving we’ve been hearing fix the roads and it never happens. It’s just one more politician telling us what she thinks we want to hear and shoving more taxes down our throat,” said Michael Moesch of Flushing.

“How much money do they need?”

And all were wondering if the money would be used at all.

“The state really doesn’t have a lot of options besides some sort of tax or fee increase at this point,” said Chris Douglas; Associate Professor of Economics at U of M Flint.

Douglas says while it’s a hefty increase, the tax would bring in around $2-billion a year to fix Michigan’s roads.

“You can argue about where we should raise the revenue and if the gas tax is the right way to do it but you do need $2-3 billion extra for the roads to fix the roads,” Douglas stated.

If the gas tax is approved, it would take effect in October and increase in $15-cent increments every 6 months until October of 2020.

According to GasBuddy, it could cost an average car owner nearly $270 a year more at the pump making Michigan the highest gas tax rate in the country.

“There’s just no way around it. Roads are expensive,” said Douglas.

Governor Whitmer plans to present this proposal to lawmakers during her budget presentation on Tuesday. We’ll of course be sure to keep you updated on the very latest.