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Michigan House Republicans
Rep. Paquette: Governor must stop holding budget hostage over immense tax increase
RELEASE|August 30, 2019
Contact: Brad Paquette

State Representative Brad Paquette today called on the governor to consider the wallets of Southwest Michigan citizens and follow through on a balanced state budget that allows schools and local governments to set their budgets and operate effectively over the coming months.

“Schools and local governments are in limbo because things have dragged on for this long – and it’s happening because the governor is set on reaching into residents’ pockets with a 45-cent gas tax increase,” said Paquette, of Niles.

Paquette’s comments come in response to ones made this week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer regarding alleged inactivity by the legislature. The governor remains committed to her vastly unpopular 45-cent per gallon gas tax increase.

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

“The governor had the summer to bring a viable alternative to the table in response to the taxpayer-conscience plans brought to her by the legislature, but instead she remains committed to giving Southwest Michigan residents the highest gas tax in the country. I have had exactly three constituents tell me they were in favor of the 45-cent gas tax increase, but they changed their minds when they realized that the governor would send the extra revenue to the most traveled roads – i.e. Detroit. That solution isn’t right for our families or for our small businesses on the state line that will lose customers to Indiana,” Paquette said.

Throughout the summer, House Republicans have offered several different options and engaged in discussions to adequately fund road repairs.

In June, the House approved a budget plan that puts all of the taxes paid at the gas pump toward roads, adding more than $800 million a year to road repairs without a tax increase. It’s a proposal that acknowledges the need to do more and comes on top of the 2015 deal which is adding over $1 billion in additional annual revenue estimated to be generated by 2021.

The plan also emphasizes getting more money into schools by raising the state’s minimum per-pupil foundation allowance by $180 per student. Such an increase would directly benefit the vast majority of school districts in Berrien and Cass counties. The budget plan also makes key investments in literacy education and opportunities that prepares students for the real world, like career and technical education and early-middle college.

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