WEST COLUMBIA (AP) - Consumers could save a couple of dollars every time they fill their gas tanks in South Carolina this fall if lawmakers pass a proposal to suspend the state's gas taxes.

Governor Mark Sanford proposed a similar plan on Tuesday. His idea was to cut the state's nearly 17-cents-per-gallon tax during the summer months.

But Sanford's challenger in the June GOP primary criticized the governor and his proposal's timing. "While this might seem on the surface to be in the benefit of South Carolina citizens, it will prove in the end to be penny-wise and pound-foolish," said gubernatorial candidate Oscar Lovelace. "It smells more like a political gimmick to me."

The South Carolina Democratic Party agreed. "Mark Sanford arrogantly ignored the high price of gas for a year," said S.C. Democratic Party Executive Director Lachlan McIntosh. "Now, with his primary looming and the legislature in the closing stages of finalizing the budget, Sanford finally decides to act. This isn’t leadership its typical politics from a typical politician."

Sanford's office responded by calling the accusations 'ridiculous.' A Sanford spokesman says the tax-break proposal is the smallest the governor has ever offered; meaning it doesn't make sense to call it a political move.

USC political science professor Blease Graham had different ideas. "Voters are motivated in about the last 30 days before a vote. So 30 days before the primary, the timing of this looks good politically," said Graham.

Despite the governor's plan, the House decided Wednesday afternoon to suspend taxes from October to December. The House discussed the proposal for hours Wednesday as it made final amendments to the state's six-and-a-half billion-dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins July First.

Most of the gas tax money goes to operate the Transportation Department.