By State Rep. Rodney Wakeman of Saginaw Township

Whether it be walking the dog, driving the kids to school, running errands or biking to the local ice cream shop, it’s very likely road quality will be brought up as a discussion topic. We all assess the condition of the roads we use and these evaluations give way to a de facto ‘power ranking’ of which roads in our communities – from driveway to highway – need to be fixed.

But in Saginaw County and counties across the state, the spending formula for local road repairs often shortchanges our local roads in the poorest condition.

Michigan’s current roads spending formula stipulates that 75 percent of funding be spent on primary roads and 25 percent on local roads. However, a blanket 75/25 rule on primary and local road repair allocation doesn’t work for every community. Communities often vary in terms of which roads are in the worst shape.

Let’s assume a county road commission has identified an A-Z list of roads with repair needs prioritized. Roads A, B, C, and D are all local roads, but with the current 75/25 formula, they’re only allowed to fix Road A in order to fix primary roads that might not even need repairs. Meanwhile, roads B, C, and D are still costing residents hard-earned money by putting their cars in the body shop because the formula requires the repair of these roads to be pushed down the list despite the fact that they may be in even worse condition.  That isn’t practical or efficient for locals in any county – and it’s why a change is sorely needed.

Saginaw County and counties across Michigan need to be given more flexibility to fund necessary road repairs. That’s why I introduced legislation separate from the state budget that would give all of Michigan’s counties a better opportunity to work on roads that are in the most serious need of repair.

Under my plan, House Bill 4965, Michigan’s 83 counties would no longer be constrained with certain spending requirements. Local road agencies would have more discretion and flexibility when determining how and where to spend road repair money.

The purpose behind my legislation is straightforward. Locals know their bad roads better than Lansing does. Loosening regulations in needed areas will give local governments more tools in their tool box. They’ll be able to fix the roads they deem in need of a fix instead of having to follow the current formula that has helped cause our local roads dilemma.

There still would be important state oversight when choosing a new spending formula as plans would need to be approved by the Transportation Asset Management Council.

While it’s important to address our most driven roads, we cannot disregard our local roads that are in most dire need of repair across Michigan. The roads problem our state is facing isn’t necessarily about how much we’re spending, but how we are spending that money.

State Rep. Rodney Wakeman is first-term lawmaker serving the 94^th House District, which encompasses part of Saginaw County, including the city of Frankenmuth and the townships of Albee, Birch Run, Blumfield, Frankenmuth, Saginaw, St. Charles, Swan Creek, Taymouth, Thomas, and Tittabawassee.