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Issue 1465 April 22, 2012
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Gov. Rick Snyder holds a roundtable discussion with Flint-area community leaders.

GOV IN HIGH GEAR: Snyder Unveils Plan to Fix Roads, Extra $$$ For Bay, Area

December 11, 2014       Leave a Comment
By: Dave Rogers

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FLINT -- Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties would receive additional funds for road repairs under a plan Gov. Rick Snyder has announced.

Bay County receives an additional $4.4 million, with $1.5 million going to Bay City.

Further delays in enacting a long-term solution to Michigan's deteriorating roads and bridges needlessly risk lives, slam families and businesses with additional costs, and stifle job growth, Flint-area community leaders said Monday at a roundtable discussion with Gov. Snyder.

The governor has offered a fair, comprehensive plan that will raise the necessary $1.2 billion annually for local and state infrastructure repairs. About 60 percent of the revenue will go to counties, cities and villages for their roads and bridges.

He reviewed the initiative with roundtable participants at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce after inspecting a pothole-riddled stretch along Center Road.

"The message from every corner of our state is clear," Snyder said. "It's time to fix the roads. Michiganders are tired of dodging potholes, whether it's on the highway or in their neighborhoods. They're fed up with getting socked with auto repair bills because Lansing has ignored the problem for too long.

"I commend the Senate for its earlier approval of a comprehensive plan, and appreciate recent action by the House that continues this critical dialogue. But we need to reach agreement on a long-term, sustainable action plan that gets a $1.2 billion solution sooner and alleviates unintended consequences for our schools and local communities. Let's finish the job."

Let's stop making excuses and dragging our feet. We have a plan that's ready to go. I am asking House members to join the Senate in approving our plan. Let's finish the job."

The plan will result in county road commissions, cities and villages seeing an average funding increase of 73 percent by 2018. For example, over four years in Genesee and neighboring counties:

Basic elements of the governor's plan that recently were approved by the state Senate include:

--Eliminating the current 19 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax and 15 cents-per-gallon diesel fuel tax at the pump, and instead charge a tax on gasoline wholesalers.

--Increasing the wholesale tax by 2 percent each year for three years, occurring every Jan. 1.

--Doubling the fines for violations of truck weight limits and dedicating half of that revenue to the State Trunk Line Fund.

"There's a time for discussion and a time for action, Snyder said. "After nearly 20 years of discussion in Lansing, taxpayers deserve action. There's no getting around it. The bill will only get bigger the longer we wait. We can pay today or pay twice as much tomorrow. It's time for Lansing to step up so Michigan can keep moving forward."

The governor's plan will raise the necessary $1.2 billion annually for local and state infrastructure repairs.

About 60 percent of the revenue will go to counties, cities and villages for their roads and bridges. He reviewed the initiative with roundtable participants at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce after inspecting a pothole-riddled stretch along Center Road.

"The message from every corner of our state is clear," Snyder said. "It's time to fix the roads. Michiganders are tired of dodging potholes, whether it's on the highway or in their neighborhoods. They're fed up with getting socked with auto repair bills because Lansing has ignored the problem for too long.

"Let's stop making excuses and dragging our feet. We have a plan that's ready to go. I am asking House members to join the Senate in approving our plan. Let's finish the job."

The plan will result in county road commissions, cities and villages seeing an average funding increase of 73 percent by 2018. For example, over four years in Genesee and neighboring counties:

*Genesee County will see $12 million more in road dollars, with $4.8 million going to Flint.

*Lapeer County receives an additional $3.9 million.

*Midland County receives an additional $3.3 million, with $2.1 million going to the city of Midland.

*Saginaw County receives an additional $7.3 million, with $2.5 million going to the city of Saginaw.

*Shiawassee County receives an additional $3 million.

*Tuscola County receives an additional $3.2 million.

Crumbling roads and bridges have a significant impact on the state. An estimated 100 lives can be saved each year if Michigan improves its infrastructure, according to a 2012 analysis by The Road Information Program (TRIP).

In addition, one in nine bridges across Michigan is rated as 'structurally deficient,' which means their conditions show deterioration. Family budgets take a big hit as well, with poor roads causing an average of $539 in additional annual vehicle operating costs due to repairs, tire wear and increased fuel consumption, TRIP reports.

In addition to saving lives and reducing auto repair bills, investing in our roads and bridges will contribute to the creation of about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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Dave Rogers

Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read,
respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City.
(Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com)

More from Dave Rogers

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