Issue Position: Infrastructure and Roads

Issue Position

Our roads can be fixed without taxing you more. We already pay enough.

Michigan's infrastructure is facing a crisis. You currently pay 57.9 cents in taxes for every gallon of gas you purchase (63.1 Diesel). We are collecting enough taxes to maintain our roads. In 2012, Michigan taxpayers sent just over 1 billion dollars to Washington DC. The federal government removed just over $200 million to pay for their bureaucracy and sent us back only $823 million. Conservative Republicans are in the process of revamping the federal highway fund with the Transportation Empowerment Act which will allow states to keep more of the money they send to Washington. In the meantime, Governor Snyder has asked the Michigan Legislature to increase taxes 1 BILLION dollars a year. Lawmakers will either increase our state sales tax from 6 to 7 percent or increase the gasoline tax and registration fees. Either way, we're looking at another tax increase. I would not vote for any tax increase and will encourage all in Lansing to vote no. We need to find a way to save, cut or transfer 1 billion out of our 52.1 billion dollar annual budget. Michigan families have been forced to tighten their belts and I know Michigan government can do the same. We pay enough taxes. We need to find ways to cut waste in 27 state departments before we ask our citizens for more hard earned tax dollars.

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