Downriver Today

State Representatives Jamie Thompson and Rylee Linting have advanced a significant road funding initiative through the Michigan House. The proposed legislation, encompassing House Bills 4180-87 and 4230, aims to direct over $3 billion annually towards road improvements, with $2.5 billion earmarked specifically for local roads in Wayne and Monroe counties.

This marks the first major road funding proposal in more than ten years, offering additional resources without raising taxes or increasing state debt. Representative Linting of Grosse Ile emphasized the importance of this plan by stating, "This plan understands the priorities of people we represent in our Downriver community... Our local roads are crumbling while state budget plans have been soaring."

Representative Thompson of Brownstown highlighted the focus on efficient spending without burdening taxpayers: “Our plans for local roads don’t shake down taxpayers for more of their hard-earned money... We are still hearing from road agencies who do not have the resources to make repairs to roads that need it.”

The funding strategy involves reallocating $2.2 billion from the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) towards road projects. Of this amount, $220 million will be directed to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), while $1.98 billion will go to local road agencies each year. Additionally, funds will be redirected from expiring or inefficient programs.

Another component includes replacing the sales tax on fuel with a fixed motor fuel tax, generating nearly an additional $1 billion for roads without increasing taxes. House Bill 4185, sponsored by Linting, ensures school funding remains unaffected by dedicating $755 million in sales tax revenue to compensate for reductions typically covered by gasoline sales tax.

The city of Taylor stands to gain almost $12 million more for its roads under this new funding structure, while Wyandotte could see an increase of nearly $4.7 million.

Having garnered bipartisan support in the House, these bills now proceed to the Senate for further deliberation.