State Representative Pauline Wendzel is hailing Michigan House passage last week of a road funding package that Republicans say will raise $3.1 billion to close the state’s road funding gap.
The package, which also has the support of some House Democrats, would necessitate cuts to other programs. Wendzel says after much talk, lawmakers have finally dome something to fix the darn roads.
“I’ve been up here a few years now, and it’s been the hot topic for a lot of years,” Wendzel said. “I think every Michigander feels the roads, right? Especially right now after this crazy winter we’ve had. And there’s been no solution. There’s a lot of talk of a solution, and so House Republicans came up with a solution, and I think it’s a great solution because we’re not raising taxes. Imagine that.”
Among other things, the package would eliminate a 6% sales tax on gasoline and instead increase the motor fuel tax by 20 cents. All of that would go to roads. However, most of the $3.1 billion the plan seeks to raise would come from the Corporate Income Tax.
Wendzel says the only thing the governor’s been offering is more tax increases to deal with roads. She says this package will move state money from less important priorities to the roads system.
The package is now in the Senate, which will seek to negotiate a compromise between Republicans and Democrats that the governor will agree to sign.
