Road Package Plan Praised by House Republicans

A 12-bill package passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday with varying levels of support. House Bill 4613 passed with the largest margin, 100 ayes to 9 nays, while HB 4609 passed by the smallest margin, 57 ayes to 52 nays. The package received pushback from House Democrats, while some Republicans joined their opposition on HB 4609, which would eliminate the Earned Income Tax Credit. Representatives Bizon (R-Battle Creek), Hooker (R-Byron Center), Howrylak (R-Troy), Iden (R-Oshtemo Township), Hughes (R-White River Township), and Leutheuser (R-Hillsdale) joined their Democratic colleagues in opposing the bill.

The package would devote nearly $1.2 billion to roads according to the House Fiscal Agency, well above the originally estimated $1.05 billion. The money would come from a variety of sources including $135 million from economic development funds, $908.9 million from the General Fund, and $119 million from new revenue sources. Among the new revenue streams are HB 4614, HB 4615, and HB 4616, which would tie the gasoline taxes to inflation as well as bring the diesel fuel tax up to the same level as the standard gasoline tax. The House also passed HB 4612, which would increase registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles that get more that 40 miles per gallon by $100 and $30, respectively.

Most House Democrats opposed the bills creating new revenue streams, leaving Representative Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) as the lone Democrat to vote for all three gas tax bills. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and Representative Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser) openly attacked the plan and called into question the House Republicans decision to recess for the summer, rather than stay in Lansing to negotiate.

Outside opposition for the package came from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Catholic Conference, while the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) was pleased with the passage of a road-funding package but worried about the longevity of General Fund appropriations. The Michigan Catholic Conference’s opposition was due to the elimination of the Earned Income Tax Credit, as they believe it is unfair to take funding from the working poor to fix the state’s roads.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 12, 2015 10:07 AM
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