Senate GOP Leader Says Chamber can Work With New House Roads Funding Plan

The Republican leader in the Michigan Senate says they can work with a roads plan passed by the state House.

The $1.2 billion House plan to fix the roads includes a 3.3 cent gas tax increase, a $40 spike in vehicle registration fees and using $600 million in existing revenue.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof says the plan weighs more heavily on registration fees, while the Senate plan weighs more on the gas tax, so there are some opportunities to look at things.

Meekhof says he’s just grateful the House sent something over.

But Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich says the plan is a step back. He says a 3 cent gas tax over so many years and $600 million in unidentified cuts is an example of fantasy.

He says it’s an attempt by Republicans to look like they’re fixing the roads but not actually doing it.