Path to fix Michigan roads looking very bumpy

Experts say odds of ballot proposal being a hit with voters 'relatively small'

LANSING, Mich. – Citing philosophical differences, the bipartisan team that was in place to attempt to get Michiganders to vote yes on a sales tax increase in May to fix the roads is now off the ballot proposal.

Selling the voters on approving that 1 percent sales tax increase is a tough proposition any way you look at it, but now that a new team has to come in with three months to go, it's a very tall order.

Gov. Rick Snyder has been trying to get a comprehensive road fix done for two years, and so far there has been zero success.

Experts like political consultant Dennis Darnoi pin the odds of this ballot proposal being a hit with the voters in May at "relatively small."

"Again because they are starting new, you have a brand new team that has a different track record than the one that was in place. It's going to be a hard sell to the voters," Darnoi said.

The first idea to pay for more than $1 billion in road repairs was increased vehicle registration fees -- it went nowhere. The next idea was a gas tax -- that went nowhere.

The Legislature has now punted to the voters, asking Michiganders to approve a sales tax increase that would make Michigan a state with the second-highest sales tax in the country.

"Karma can be a cruel mistress, and the likelihood of this going back to the Legislature and forcing them to actually do their job is quite high," Darnoi said.

Election day is May 5.


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