Whitmer’s closing argument includes her failure to raise gas taxes, shut down Line 5

What are the gas prices in your corner of Michigan? If Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had her way, they would be higher by 45 cents per gallon.

In October 2018, gubernatorial candidate Whitmer called it “ridiculous” when her opponent Republican Bill Schuette said she would seek a gas tax increase of 20 cents per gallon if elected. In March 2019, two months after taking office, Whitmer sought an increase of 45 cents per gallon, more than double what she denied seeking months earlier.

When Whitmer cites “no new taxes” under her leadership, it’s not for a lack of trying, but for a lack of success.

At Whitmer’s second debate this year with Republican challenger Tudor Dixon, the candidates were asked about rising energy costs. Dixon attacked Whitmer for a November 2020 effort to shut down the Line 5 pipeline, which supplies much of the energy Michigan relies on.

“There’s been no change on Line 5,” Whitmer said at the debate. “No change.”

As correctly Dixon responded, however, “Line 5 hasn't been shut down, but that's not because Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t tried.”

Whitmer’s 2020 shutdown effort failed a court challenge. A second lawsuit targeting the pipeline, filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, is ongoing.

It took great effort and great cost for there to be “no change” in the operations of Line 5.