HOLLAND, Mich (May 7, 2014) – Cracks, potholes, cars in repair shops… ’tis the season.
Pothole season is on the mind of Gov. Rick Snyder.
During his keynote address at the Tulip Time Festival luncheon, Snyder spoke about the state’s economy and about how taking action to improve Michigan’s roads and bridges is common sense.
“I think this winter really got people’s attention in terms of pothole season,” said Snyder. “And I hope we have an opportunity to get something done before people forget pothole season.”
While the governor was in West Michigan Wednesday, lawmakers in the state capitol were working on legislation that would provide more than $400 million dollars to fix roads.
“I do appreciate the House putting forward a program, a plan,” Snyder said. “Again, I call for more revenue than what they call for in their plan, but I think it’s a very constructive step. “
Both the House Transportation and Tax Policy committees finished a couple weeks of testimony by sending the measures to the House floor.
Ultimately, the legislature is hoping to have budget work completed by early June.
“One metric that I think people should think about is that if you’re driving to or from, or around, in a day and you go over or under 8 or more bridges that statistically at least one of those is structurally deficient,” said Snyder. “That can’t make you feel good. That doesn’t mean it’s unsafe but it’s structurally deficient in some fashion.”
The work in Lansing comes on the heels of a vote in Grand Rapids where residents overwhelmingly supported the renewal of a tax and using the money for street and sidewalk repairs.
“It’s a very positive indicator and I appreciate the citizens speaking in that regard,” Snyder said. “I’ve done the same thing at several town halls and events I’ve been at, asking people, literally, are they willing to pay more?”
Now that those bills are headed to the full House, the chamber will have to vote and send the measures to the Senate.
Once approved there, they would head to the governor’s desk for his signature.
