Ongoing Transportation Funding Debate Leads to New Committee

On Wednesday, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) stated that Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville would be forming a new committee to oversee the new legislation that will ultimately become the transportation and infrastructure funding reform package. The package of bills offers a variety of ideas on how to generate more revenue for the state’s infrastructure funding. The package is comprised of multiple Senate Bills (SB 84, SB 85, SB 86, SB 87, and SB 88) and a Senate Joint Resolution that would leave the decision on how to fix the problem up to voters across the state (SJR J).

Each of the Senate Bills presents a different idea on how to generate the $1.2 billion Governor Rick Snyder has called for to use toward road repairs and maintenance.

Sen. Kahn sponsored SB 87, which asks for the current gas tax (19 cents) to be relocated in a range between 37 cents and 50 cents. SB 87 may eventually include a proposal to adjust the current fuel tax to be based on a percentage of the wholesale price; however, this percentage has not yet been decided.

In related news, members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Chaired by Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) have indicated their openness and flexibility in finding a solution.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 1, 2013 10:58 AM
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