The Michigan Senate has passed next year’s transportation budget, SB 184, and it did not include the $1.2 billion in new revenue to fix Michigan’s roads as the Governor requested. The debate in the Senate on new funding is not over though. Senator Roger Khan continues to take the lead on this issue in the Senate and is committed to finding a solution to Michigan’s infrastructure needs before next start of the next fiscal year.

While the Senate passed its budget, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee continued its debate on potential funding mechanisms for new revenue. Yesterday’s committee was centered around the idea of raising registration fees. Bills introduced in the House reflect a 20% across the board increase for all drivers, a change in the depreciation schedule, and higher fees for those who drive hybrids and electric vehicles. The discussion yesterday was to serve a a point of reference for this debate, but on the surface these bills were much better received that the 60-80% increases the Governor and that Senate have proposed.

We will continue to provide updates on this debate as the discussion moves forward.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling transportation issues. He can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0303.