House approves Republican road plan prioritizing existing revenues

State Rep. Pat Outman, chair of the House Transportation Committee, today led his House colleagues in advancing the House Republican roads plan, on which he is a key bill sponsor. The plan includes no tax increases, instead prioritizing existing revenues.

Outman said that over the years, supposed road funding plans have come and gone, but the roads remain crumbled. He’s confident, however, that this plan is the one to end them all.

“This is a real plan that can bring meaningful change to the people of Michigan,” Outman said during a speech addressing his colleagues on the House floor ahead of today’s vote. “Let’s get this done.”

The House Republican plan would invest $3.1 billion into Michigan roads by ending corporate welfare, cutting pork project spending, and dedicating all gas taxes to road repairs. The plan also focuses on local roads, which previous road debt taken on by the governor neglected, leaving municipalities high and dry as they face unaffordable pothole repairs.

With Republicans back in control of the House, the governor cannot put forward any road plans without Republicans signoff, nor can Republicans finalize one without hers. Outman said he’s willing to meet her somewhere in the middle.

“I’m committed to having an open mind as long as she and her Democratic colleagues in the Legislature are too,” said Outman, R-Six Lakes. “I see no reason why we can’t come to the table and find a bipartisan solution that delivers safe, reliable roads to the taxpayers who have already paid plenty into them.”