Rep. Sue Allor today said northern Michigan drivers have clearly stated they don’t want Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed 45-cent per gallon gas tax hike – and the governor’s insistence on the plan should not be allowed to derail the entire state budget.

“Drivers tell me all the time they don’t want and can’t afford a gas tax increase,” said Allor, of Wolverine. “There are other ways to fix the roads, and the Legislature has been proposing them all summer.  The governor hasn’t seriously considered these alternatives, and that’s a shame – because her focus on her massive gas tax hike is delaying action on other important issues affected by the state budget. The Legislature has plans to increase the record funding for public schools and to continue our efforts to fight PFAS, just to name two. We can fix the roads and take care of the state budget without the governor’s tax hike.”

Provisions in the Michigan Constitution require action on a state budget before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Allor noted the budget proposal approved by the House in June adds more than $800 million a year to road repairs without a tax increase. The proposed plan will redirect the equivalent of the current 6 percent sales tax motorists already pay at the pump to be used exclusively for roads. This comes on top of a roads plan approved in 2015 that isn’t even fully phased in yet, adding to the record support to repair Michigan roads.

The House plan boosts the state’s minimum per-pupil foundation grant by $180. Most school districts would get that increase, and every district in the state would get at least $90 more per student.

The House-approved budget proposal includes continued funding to clean up sources of contamination, such as PFAS, as well as funds specifically designated for water connection costs for residents affected by PFAS contamination in Oscoda Township.

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