State Rep. Julie Alexander, of Hanover, issued the following statement following the governor’s budget presentation, which included recommendations for a 45-cent per gallon gas tax increase to cover road funding costs across Michigan:

“Michigan drivers already pay the highest car insurance rates in the nation, and under the governor’s proposal, they’ll be forced to pay the highest gas tax, too.

Like anyone else who drives in this state, I absolutely agree more must be done to improve Michigan roads.  In fact, many local townships in our Jackson community are already doing more as the state continues to roll out its 2015 road improvement plan, which will be fully implemented by 2021.  Because there were so many years Michigan invested absolutely nothing from its general fund into road repairs, this will take time to overcome.

Our state is projected to spend more than $4 billion on road and bridge improvements before this fiscal year is through – that’s the most in state history. We must take these existing appropriations into account before we start taking money out of Michigan drivers’ pockets in the form of a gas tax.

I look forward to finding a more practical and bipartisan solution for Michigan drivers. We all want better, safer roads and bridges, but we have to be purposeful and thoughtful in order to create a successful plan.”

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