More Money for Roads

The Michigan House Thursday approved bills designed to raise up to 500 million more dollars for Michigan roads and bridges without raising taxes, although critics are coming from several different directions. The bills, among other things, earmark one percent of the state’s use tax for the State Trunkline Fund. The package also changes the distribution of sales tax revenue. Other parts of the package repeal the current fuel taxes and replace them with a 6 percent tax on the wholesale price. And it allows annual revenue increases up to 5 percent. Another bill would allow for public-private partnerships with the state. Supporters call it a responsible way to begin tackling Michigan’s road funding problem.