New rules that could rescue funding for road repairs from the budget stalemate were unveiled by state Rep. Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann) Thursday.
Unrelated to the current budget talks, the new, bipartisan plan contained in House Bill 4963 would “cut red tape and improve state regulations for additional flexibility with roadwork from driveway to highway,” according to a press release issued by Michigan House Republicans.
"Road funding is important," O'Malley said in the release. "We’ve committed more money to road repairs in our House budget plan that was approved in June. But it’s about spending our money smarter. I think we can get more mileage from those dollars and have our rules be more tailored to what communities across the state need – and that is what these bills do.”
Rep. Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann)
| Michigan House Republicans
The bill also allows local communities to impose gas taxes to fund their road repairs, if they so choose. The any county-level gas tax would require ballot-box approval, and fund generated would be divvied up according to population and miles.
O’Malley said in the release his plan was informed from citizen input at various town halls he’s held statewide. The bill is currently under review by the House Transportation Committee.
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