ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.
“See? It told you so.” — Title of a book by Rush Limbaugh in the 1990s.
It wasn’t long ago that I penned an editorial asserting that I didn’t have a lot of hope for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plans to “fix the damn roads.” My prophecy already is coming true.
There is no question her suggestion to raise the gasoline tax by 45 cents is wildly unpopular, and I concur with those who oppose it because it most negatively impacts those who struggle to afford filling their gas tanks. And it makes me wonder if there isn’t a better way.
In my editorial last month, I wrote:
“Missing in action here is the fact that the Republican Party has owned this state politically, lock, stock and barrel, since 2010. The GOP has had huge majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives during these years, owned the governor’s chair, the attorney general’s seat and that of secretary of state.
“Yet the Republicans failed to come up with anything to ‘fix the damn roads’ over these years. They had the power, but they didn’t use it.
“Our unabashedly partisan Republican government will be in no mood to pass anything that might make a Democratic governor look good, particularly in the era of Donald Trump, fraught with tribalism and ‘party above the people.’ The GOP, despite the results in the November general election, continues to hold majorities in both the State House and State Senate.”
Pointing fingers, though the opinion is accurate, won’t solve the problem.
I hereby ask the Licensing and Regulatory Agency (LARA), which is attempting to come up with ways to implement recreational marijuana rules, to seek ways to tax pot and have the revenue earmarked entirely for fixing the damn roads. To be sure, it won’t solve the financial problem entirely, but it would reduce a cost we need to pay for safe and efficient transportation.
I have seen estimates that pot tax revenue could add between $134 million and $262 million per year. Because it would be impossible to fix all the bad roads immediately, that extra revenue each year could add a decent down payment on ridding us of potholes.
It’s past time for those who oppose use of marijuana to get out of the way since they won’t lend a hand. The game is over. the potheads won. Now let’s take their money and put it to good use on behalf of the public. Because they’s been dragging their feet, some of these horse and buggy thinkers rightly have been kicked off the medical marijuana licensing commissions.
Perhaps the pot for potholes tax could be combined with other potential revenue sources. We seriously need to examine the impact of big rigs on our roads and maybe increase their liability, particularly on our state arteries and freeways. I am not entirely opposed to having some kind of toll booth program, which would add people from out of state in helping us financially.
I just don’t believe a 45-cent gas tax hike should be the only means by which we approach this problem.
Michigan always has all kinds of money for water parks, walkways, building renovation, which I think the property owner is responsible for. All kinds of grants. Wayland city got grants for the Rabbit River park that nobody uses. All free at the time, but not now. Wayland is one of the smallest cities in Michigan. How much did Detroit, Grand Rapids, etc. get? Money is money, use it where it needs to be spent.
Hello Dennis, I think of you as a friend. When you make a statement that nobody (NO BODY) uses the Rabbit River Park, I must ask, who is giving you this information. Knowing you Dennis, I can’t believe you would make such a bold statement as (NO BODY) uses the Park with out unquestionable documents. So Dennis, please tell me who is providing you with this information so that I can challenge them on their faults reporting to you. From my house to the Rabbit River Park and back home is around about 2 miles. A walk I enjoy very much. When my family visits and they take their daily walks guess where they go, the Rabbit River Park. Dennis I can assure my family and many other people from our surrounding community enjoy this Park, So when you say (no body) to me that is saying not ONE single person is using the Park. Dennis I hope you and your family are doing good. Blessing and peace to you.
Nobody was a bad choice of words. I am glad you enjoy walking there. Very few would have been better. And I mean very few use it but very many have to pay for it. We all use roads maybe a better use of tax money. I think of you as a friend also I have a lot of respect for you and always will no mater what. Grace and I are doing fine thanks for asking.
Mr. Stein, I’m sure a few people use the trail, however comparing the money spent vs. use hrs., I’m sure it wasn’t the best investment the city ever decided to build. It is a mosquito haven in summer. I have been on the trail twice in the past year in the afternoon and didn’t see another person.
The city should use taxpayer funds wisely, I don’t think the trail qualifies as a wise investment.
I’ve lived in the area my whole life, and directly in Wayland for the last 5 years. I just found out this park existed about 2 weeks ago…nestled in the corner of town with ONE sign directing you towards it. It’s a very nice little park, but obviously not the way this township should be allocating funds. Now Wayland votes against allowing RecPot businesses within limits while the roads in town are crumbling. Are we sure that the local government is doing all they can/should with OUR money??
Mr Young
You are correct pointing back to the past does not completely fix the future. But we must learn as citizens to keep a closer eye on our tax dollars. How were the funds so mismanaged in the past years? Could it be there was a project we favored and really did not care or know what find was being pilfered to make it happen?
If county and local governments could approach the marijuana issue with level heads, yes the money from taxes would surely help. The fear and paranoia of marijuana prevents added tax revenue to be used for any project.
Most in our area would rather have outrageous taxes on gas, property, food, etc. that open recreation/ medical dispensaries, or production of industrial hemp. All the while complaining about those taxes.
Seems the increased tax on gas is all the governor’s fault. Was she not voted in by the majority of Michigan’s voters? If you were one who voted for her to fix the roads, improve the state’s horrible education system, etc., where did you expect this revenue to come from?
The other interesting thing about we humans is that it doesn’t take much to distract us. Illegal immigration was a huge problem, then came the abortion after birth, then climate change, which most of the country is talking about… except here in Michigan where the first 24.6 cents of the 45-cents-per gal tax is a matter of life and death to Michigan citizens.
Let’s reflect a bit.Ggasoline at one time was less than 25 cents a gallon, bread was 10 cents a loaf, my first house cost 15,000 dollars and was new construction.
My point being every time prices rose, and taxes were increased, people said we were doomed, businesses would fail, everyone would move to a different state or country, jobs would be lost, etc.
Amazingly the poor. middle, and upper class all survived, because they adapted. If the raise in gas tax does make it through… the lives of Michigan citizens will not change drastically.
If the roads never get fixed, Michigan will still survive, yet more people will complain, knowing how to fix them but
not wanting to pay for them.
As you know, we are paying for roads with an elevated gas tax imposed by the Snyder administration. We are still paying for construction bills from the Engler and Granholm administrations to the tune of $1.3 billion.
I applaud your idea of pot taxes being used for roads. I would also suggest all monies from drug busts be allocated to the road fund.
That said, I’m not sure there is a dedicated “Road Account”, but that gas taxes go into the “General Fund” and used for whatever the legislature decides? Does anyone know?
David:
Surely this is a sign of the end of days. I find myself agreeing with about 85% of what you just wrote. Money needs to be spent to fix the roads, taxes are a big part in that. We also need to force the State Government to account for itself. It doesn’t help when our new Governor proposes the absolute most outlandish tax increase proposal in my 50 years of life in this State. I am pretty sure that she is just completely out of touch with average people in this state to even consider such a proposal. Her taxes would crush business and land heaviest on her supporters who are also most of the people unable to afford to avoid her taxes by investing in a Tesla.
To make matters worse, she gives nothing concrete to address the real cost of driving in Michigan, its BROKEN albatross of No Fault Insurance.
The best thing that could happen for Michigan Drivers and Michigan Businesses with vehicles registered here is a complete abandonment of Michigan No Fault in favor of a system like those in place in Indiana, Illinois or Ohio where insurance rates are close to 1/2 of what they are here. After something significant happens to get the cost of auto insurance under control, THEN we can start talking about another perhaps .20 cents a gallon in fuel taxes to get things done.
Just off the phone with Lansing – Rep. Steven Johnson’s office. There is no segregated account for road repair and maintenance only. Evidently all the fuel tax monies go into the general fund.
The reason why Democrats (especially Gov. Gretchen Whitmer) aren’t believed is because they aren’t honest. Prime example: during the debate with former Attorney General Bill Schuette, he said she would hike the fuel taxes an additional 20 cents and she smiled and shook it off as a wild assertion. Guess Schuette was almost right, except he was off by an additional 25 cents total per gallon. If she would have run on increasing fuel taxes to fix the damn roads, she wouldn’t have had a ghost chance in Hell of winning.
Hold on, another four years of Granholm II, and we all know how we were “blown away” by those years. Count on four years of misery in this state.
Everyone is in a fright over this fuel tax, it likely will not happen. Rumblings are it will get killed…
So unless we can convince our legislators to make a definite place for road money not the general fund…roads will always be horrible in this State.
Wait till the new Governor addresses her plan on education….those losing their minds over additional fuel taxes may not survive where this money will come from.
Again it will not get far it like the fuel tax will die in the legislature.
Michigan’s roads and education systems will continue to fail. Every year we allow it to go unfixed will just put it futher out of reach.
Until we can agree to pay what it takes to fix roads and education, neither will be repaired.
Mr. Smit,
I and I’m sure a few others are of the mindset the whole idea of additional fuel taxes are to build, improve, and maintain roads in a segregated account that is used exclusively for roads and nothing else.
I don’t know about you but my taxes and fees continue to go up but my revenue doesn’t increase much. License and plate fees, auto insurance, DNR fees for fishing and hunting licenses have all increased. When is enough enough?
What about expendatures? Does the government ever do with less like the rest of us? Politicians never say they will have to tighten their belts, just for us to do with less because they need our money.
You’re a sensible person, you probably live within your means. Why can’t we expect government to do the same? I’m sick and tired the only solution government comes up with is to only tax us more. Are you, the citizens of Michigan, getting sick of the same song and dance routine from Lansing?
Don’t Tread On Me
Yes, we heard the song and dance for a long time. Sadly, those we put into office are always dipping into funds to promote projects that will assure they get elected again.
Yes, fees to continue hunting, fishing and trapping have increased. Again, that fund has been raided many times. The majority of monies for our interests come from hunters, shooters and firearm owners.
The Pitt Robertson Act, the federal tax we sportsman insisted on having placed on firearm, ammunition sales. To be divided among the states based on license sales. For states to use for purchasing public land, install public shooting ranges, fund hunter education… The general public who does not hunt, fish, trap or purchase firearms and ammunition. Do nothing for the wildlife or conservation. Yes, off road, and snowmobile permits help maintain the trails they use. But here again the amount of monies the DNR gets from these fees and the pittance the state budgets is not enough to really do the job they have to do.
You see the dedicated fund like the Pitt Robertson Act has only been raided once, and they had to repay every cent. If the State of Michigan would set dedicated funds and the people we elect worked on these areas we would not have to keep raising taxes for the same thing every year.
I think we know why the people we elect refuse to tighten their belt. Once, in office they have excellent healthcare, a wage very few of us could hope for. a wonderful pension…
Promises, that usually are unattainable get them elected. They do not have to conserve, they are set for at least four years. When re-election comes they have done something to convince us to re-elect them.
I wish I truly had an answer… I just hope the citizens insist this tax if it should become true. It goes into road maintenance and improvements fund only not to be for anything else.
Presently about the only choice we have is complain, move to a different state, pay the taxes, or try to get a state government that truly cares for it’s citizens, and not their personal wallets.