SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg comes to Saginaw to highlight projects affected by the infrastructure bill, and like everyone else, he talks about rising gas prices.

Buttigieg was at the Lake State Railway in Saginaw when the Biden administration announced $30 million in funding for rail infrastructure in Michigan.

He says the administration is also doing what it can to provide some relief at the pump, as prices have hit about five dollars a gallon in mid-Michigan.

Buttigieg, along with Congressman Dan Kildee, say all options are on the table when it comes to gasoline prices, including waiving the federal tax of 18 cents on a gallon of gas, but they both say there should be more control over those profiting, the oil companies.

The Transportation Secretary toured the Lake State Railway facilities in Saginaw.

Business leaders say federal infrastructure funding has helped improve its operations and Buttigieg says railroad improvements will eventually impact what everyone is talking about, those gas prices.

“Long term, we need to invest in many different means of transportation, for example, the better your rail system is, the less you rely on those truckloads which can add upward pressure on the price of diesel,” says -he. .

Buttigieg and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee say there is little the federal government can do to lower gasoline prices and both want to see oil companies face questions about price gouging.

“They’re not calling us, they’re watching how much they can earn, and the truth is right now we’re seeing much higher gas prices compared to the same oil prices as we last saw. that they were at that level and that needs to be looked at, there’s incredible profits being made,” Buttigieg says.

Buttigieg says he spoke this week with Governor Whitmer about lifting gasoline taxes, both federal and state, which Kildee supports.

“I support a gas tax break, especially if it’s in tandem with a state break, but there are other things we’ve suggested,” Kildee said.

Some of the things that have been suggested include reducing the cost of other products, which is hurting many Americans as well.

“Reducing the cost of insulin, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, reducing the cost of child care, reducing the cost of housing, we face opposition from the other side on this, but we think it’s common sense, especially when you see this kind of pain at the pump,” says Buttigieg.