We all agree the roads are in bad shape and getting worse. To fix the problem two state representatives have introduced a bill in the Michigan House that would raise the gas and diesel tax by 2 cents per gallon. It’s sad when the only solution our legislators can come up with to solve a problem is with another new tax. The truth is, if we used the monies that were collected, the 6% sales tax on fuel THAT DOES NOT GO TO ROAD FUNDING, and the 0.875-cent tax to clean up leaking fuel tanks THAT GETS DIVERTED TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, we could begin to make a dent in fixing the road problems. However the legislature, in their wisdom, find it to be convenient by “RAIDING” the revenue sources for other purposes. You would be surprised to see where a significant amount of your GAS TAX money goes and how it is used. Passing a new gas tax won’t solve the structural problem that exists within the tax system.

Clinton County is currently looking to find additional monies to maintain the county roads and a representative from the road commission has been on the township board circuit touting a potential 1 mil tax increase proposal that would be on the August ballot. The problem with this approach is the gas tax is a “USE TAX” and the “MILLAGE TAX” is a property tax. You are essentially taxing people based on their property values not on how much they use the roads. It seems like an UNFAIR TAX TO ME.

We all agree we need the revenue to maintain our roads and bridges. I think it is time to use the revenue that is collected for the purposes for which it was originally intended. Representative Opsommer has introduced a package of bills in the Michigan House known as  “The Priority Now!” package that seeks to address the issue without having a negative impact on the rest of the Michigan budget. We need to find alternative solutions like Rep. Opsommer has proposed, not levy new taxes.

(Submitted for publication to DeWitt/Bath Review & to the Clinton County News on March 8, 2010)

(NOT PUBLISHED)
