DETROIT – Legislators are still searching for a deal to fix Michigan roads. But the big question is: Will their source of funding cost us money?
In Lansing, state legislators are in session working toward finding a solution to this problem. The idea of a revenue-neutral plan that will keep gas prices the same, but get the funding to fix roads moving in the right direction is currently up for discussion.
However, the bill up for debate will have no gas tax hike, but will have some new funding for the roads. Since the bill will only bring in $130 million for new construction this year, Gov. Rick Snyder is going to generate summer work groups that will consist of legislators making a plan of what can be worked on in the fall to pull together the road funding.
These legislators are going to spend the summer working on ways that will be better long-term for residents who will be paying into the roads, as well as initiating weight limits for trucks as a way to prevent them from further destroying our roads.
As a result, Michiganders could soon see an increase in the diesel fuel tax by about 4 percent, which will raise about $30 million toward fixing the roads. This will make for some happy Michigan commuters, but also make for some unhappy truck drivers.