Friends, False information has been spreading like wildfire about my vote on a transportation package that recently passed the House. Everyone agrees: it is time to fix Michigans roads and address our aging infrastructure. Where the differences in opinion occur is how to pay for it. As a member of he House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee I have had a front-row seat to the hours of testimony which have been offered on the subject. Three weeks ago the House passed a transportation package that begins the process of fixing Michigans roads. The Senate is currently proposing a significant tax increase. Either through higher gas taxes or an increase in the sales tax. I disagree, I think the House plan is a more prudent step in the right direction. It provides nearly half of the money the Governors report has recommended without a big tax increase. In fact, the biggest change to current tax levels is bringing diesel fuel tax levels up to existing gas tax levels - something the truckers and Michigan Farm Bureau support. I believe in keeping our belts tight. I believe people make better decisions about their priorities when they have less than they want, I know we do in our house. If we give government all they are asking for we are far more likely to see more dollars used buying paper (administration) than pavement. The House package does many important things like call for better accountability through warranties, improve local control through competitive bidding, and put more dollars where it is needed most - to county road commissions rather than diluting the needed dollars down with nice but less critical concerns like bike paths and mass transit projects. Michigans economy is just beginning to recover from a lost decade. Jobs are starting to come back. People are beginning to move back. This is a responsible way to provide essential road funding without damage to our economic recovery. I will continue to work toward a complete solutions to our roads. I want to see everyone prove they can use the additional dollars we are providing wisely. Im sorry my opponent is trying to confuse voters about this issue by taking this tact against me.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 23:40:54 +0000
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