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Michigan House Republicans
Rep. Howell: 45¢ Gas Tax Proposal Stalls School Funding
RELEASE|August 30, 2019

By state Rep. Gary Howell of North Branch

Support for public education is one of my top priorities. It always has been and always will be.

I served as president of both the North Branch School Board and the Lapeer County Intermediate Board of Education long before I was elected as your representative in the Michigan House. I’m still fighting on behalf of our students and educators.

One of those fights involves increasing support for public schools in each and every state budget cycle. We are in one of those cycles now, and the political rhetoric is getting a little rough. For example – I was surprised to read statements from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer claiming the Legislature has presented plans to “cut public education resources” in our budget proposals for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. She included this false claim in a letter sent to education leaders in our county. I can’t let her misinformation go unanswered. Our students, teachers and school administrators deserve better.

The House budget plan adopted in June does the exact opposite of “cut public education resources.” The plan – which I voted for – would increase the commitment to public education by more than $200 million, raising the state’s total investment in K-12 education to more than $15 billion a year.

The foundation allowance for all of Lapeer County’s school districts would rise by $180 to a total of $8,051 per student. Beyond that, our House plan also increases funding for important programs such as early literacy and career preparation.

The governor is raising false alarms about school funding because she is desperate to rally support for her plan to raise the gas tax by a whopping 45 cents per gallon – a preposterous increase that Michigan residents have made clear they oppose. She has not listened to the many alternatives suggested by the Legislature that would add more money to road repairs without a tax increase.

The House-approved plan, for example, would ensure taxes paid at the gas pump go to fix our roads. Drivers currently pay the state’s 6 percent general sales tax every time they fill up. Our plan would take this money and redirect it to roads – adding more than $800 million a year for road repairs. Every dime of the 6 percent general sales tax that is now dedicated to schools would be replaced – and then some – without raising taxes. We do this by eliminating government waste and making other common-sense changes to direct taxpayer resources where they are needed most.

Our House budget plan increases school funding because our state’s future depends on proper investment in our students and schools.

Like our governor, and the vast majority of Michigan residents, I support better roads and schools. But these goals can be achieved without massive tax increases that drivers and their families do not want and cannot afford.

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