What if Michigan’s raggedy local roads could be repaired with no tax increase? Most would argue that would be a winning combination under the right circumstances and that’s what at least some in Lansing are proposing through new bipartisan legislation.
State Rep. Brad Paquette of Niles has announced newly introduced House legislation that would fix Michigan’s current broken road funding formula, generate an extra $800 million for roads without new taxes, and dedicate the money solely to local roads which lost out in the governor’s recent borrowing scheme.
The bills call for ensuring all state taxes paid at the gas pump go to fixing roads, with a priority on roads managed by local municipalities such as counties, cities and villages. Over a three-year period, the measures would phase out the 6-percent sales tax drivers already pay on fuel purchases and replace it with an equivalent revenue-neutral fuel tax – generating approximately $800 million more per year for local roads.
The measures also fill in the sizable gap left from the governor’s recent decision to bond for $3.5-billion for state-owned highways in upcoming years. That proposal only can address around 9,600 miles out of the 120,000 total miles in the state, and ignores driveway to highway roads people use frequently for a variety of everyday needs.
Paquette says, “The roads right outside our driveways are the ones that need serious attention,” contending, “We must ensure the safety of the roads along our daily commutes. Those are the roads I get complaints about from local residents. I’m here in Lansing to stand up for their needs and that’s what this legislation will address.”
Paquette’s commitment to increasing investments in Michigan schools and students will not be impacted by the new legislation, either. Built-in safeguards ensure those investments continue, as sales tax revenue currently dedicated to schools from fuel purchases would be fully replaced.
Paquette concludes, “As a former teacher, my first concern is preserving education for future generations. These bills won’t take away any funding from students, but they will ensure the roads they take to school each day are free of dangerous potholes.”
House Bills 5582-through-5587 have been referred to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Stay tuned.
