95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

House aims for $1.2 billion road-funding deal this week

Michigan legislative leaders report having a productive meeting with Gov. Rick Snyder on road funding but no deal. 
 
Lawmakers are working on a $1.2 billion plan that could include a boost in fuel taxes and vehicles fees along with shifting money from other spending priorities.
 
There's some optimism a plan can be approved this week. But cobbling enough votes for higher gasoline taxes will be difficult.
 
The House returned Tuesday after a monthlong break and is in session through Thursday.
 
Legislators are eying a compromise under which $600 million in additional revenue would be collected from increased fuel and registration taxes. Another $600 million would come from redirecting existing general funds. Specifics haven't been worked out.
 

  In May, voters rejected a road-funding plan that included a sales tax increase.
 

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.