A bill brought forward by state Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden) aims to improve roads throughout the state of Michigan.
The bill, House Bill 5489, would supply more money to county and city road commissions and less to the state’s highway fund. This would improve local roads without raising taxes or debt.
“Michigan drivers are burdened by the potholes and crumbling roads right outside their front doors, on the local streets they drive on every day to come home,” Mueller said in a statement. “Gov. Whitmer has created her plan to address state roads, and regardless of whether I agree with that plan, the fact remains that it doesn’t address our local roads. My plan will.”
The proposed bill would make changes to Michigan’s Public Act 51, which was passed in 1951 and created a revenue sharing program, the Michigan Transportation Fund, for road agencies. Money gathered by fuel and registration taxes go to the program, which then divides the funds among the state highway department, county road commission and municipalities.
House Bill 5489 plans to increase county road commission funds from 39.1% to 43.1% and city funds from 28.1% to 35.1%.
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