On the last day of the 2013-2014 "lame duck" legislative session, Michigan legislators passed a package of bills that would provide additional revenue for transportation, education and local governments. On January 12, 2015, Governor Snyder signed the package of bills.

The plan will provide additional funding for our roads and bridges and would:
*    Repeal the 6% sales tax on gas
*    Replace it with a new motor fuels tax at the wholesale level that is dedicated to funding transportation
*    Increase the state sales tax by 1% (from 6 to 7%) so our schools and local governments have the funding they need
*    Provide tax relief to lower-income Michiganders by restoring the earned income tax credit
It is estimated that this plan will have the following results:
*    $1.2 billion for roads and bridges
*    $112 million for transit and rail
*    $300 million for schools
*    $94 million for local governments
*    $260 million in tax relief for lower-income Michiganders

The bills passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor will not take effect unless approved by a majority of Michigan voters. A statewide ballot proposal will be presented to voters on May 5, 2015. This is the Governor's #1 priority and his office is leading a broad coalition to support the passage of the proposal. The campaign will kick into high gear the first week in February.

ACEC/Michigan, ASCE Michigan Section, MSPE and other engineering organizations are urging a YES vote on May 5. This package of bills provides a long term solution to fund our transportation system that has been needed for several years. It will improve the quality and safety of our transportation system and will provide additional funding for education and local government.

We urge all members and friends to take every opportunity to explain this proposal to employees, clients, friends and the public. More information will be available soon to help with those efforts.