© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

House Speaker Chatfield Knocks Whitmer Gas Tax Plan

Lee Chatfield
gophouse.org
/
gophouse.org
Speaker of the Michigan House Lee Chatfield

The Speaker of the House says a part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s budget is dead on arrival.

Whitmer presented her budget proposal this week. In it, she called for a 45 cent increase of the gas and diesel tax at the pump over time.

But Speaker Lee Chatfield says this proposal is not going anywhere, saying he's looking forward to "partnering and negotiating with this governor/ Unfortunately, the proposal that she put forward is a nonstarter for my caucus because the people in our district cannot afford it. So, the gas tax will not be raised 45 cents.”

A spokesperson for Whitmer says the governor is willing to have a serious conversation about all solutions that get 90-percent of the state’s roads to a good or fair condition.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County.
Related Content
WKAR’s first live pledge drive since federal funding was eliminated is happening now. Our goal for the drive is $60,000 and reaching it will bring us one step closer to closing the federal funding gap.
Your support helps keep trusted journalism, classical music, and educational programming freely available for everyone in our community.
How can you help? Become a sustaining donor today. Already a sustainer? Please consider increasing your monthly contribution.