LANSING, MI- Michigan senators are considering whether to significantly increase gasoline taxes over five years to mend roads and bridges.
The talk of pumping more money into transportation infrastructure comes on the heels of a House vote to gradually allow Michigan's 19-cents-a-gallon gas tax to go as high as 32 1/2 cents over time.
It would initially generate $450 million a year, mostly by diverting money from elsewhere in the budget.
But because per-gallon fuel taxes could rise by no more than perhaps a penny a year, there's concern it wouldn't be enough to keep roads from falling further into disrepair.
A Senate committee plans to consider the House legislation this week. The question is to what extent senators may go above the $450 million marker laid down across the Capitol.