Gov. Rick Snyder calls for $1.2 billion in higher vehicle registration fees, gas tax change to fix s

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

Gov. Rick Snyder calls for $1.2 billion in higher vehicle registration fees, gas tax change to fix state's roads
January 17, 2013
Gov. Rick Snyder's call for higher vehicle registration fees and changes to the gas tax is sure to be a tough sell to the public and the Legislature. But, Snyder said in his State of the State address Wednesday, the bill to fix roads will only grow the more time passes. /
By Paul Egan and Kathleen Gray
Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau


Hundreds of protesters angry over the passage of right-to-work legislation last month gather at the Capitol before Snyder's speech. The governor alluded to the explosive debate. "I hope we can work together," he said Wednesday. / KATHLEEN GALLIGAN/Detroit Free Press

LANSING -- Gov. Rick Snyder called for $1.2 billon in higher gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to help repair the state's crumbling road infrastructure in his third State of the State address Wednesday, setting up what is sure to be a tough fight for both public support and votes in the Legislature.

Snyder -- who spoke amid a beefed-up Michigan State Police presence at the state Capitol, where hundreds of noisy union protesters angered by passage of right-to-work legislation last month had gathered outside -- called for removing the state gas taxes paid at the pump in favor of a percentage wholesale gas tax.

But he did not lay out a specific percentage value for the new tax or say how much vehicle registration fees should be raised. He wants the Legislature to work out the details.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20130117/NEWS15/301170295/Gov-Rick-Snyder-calls-for-1-2-billion-in-higher-vehicle-registration-fees-gas-tax-change-to-fix-state-s-roads?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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The wealth transfer from the bottom to the top continues...



Michigan's wrong direction
By Curt Guyette
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 9, 2013


Michigan's current tax system is broken and must be reformed. It cannot consistently raise the revenues needed to invest in Michigan's future, create economic growth and maintain needed public services. As the state's economy has struggled and evolved, its tax system has not kept pace.

So begins a scathing report just released by the nonprofit League for Public Policy, a group whose self-described mission is to "foster economic opportunity, independence and security of Michigan's economically vulnerable population by shaping public policy through objective data-driven research, education and advocacy."

In a study filled with much disturbing information, the bottom line is all too clear: In its push to become more business-friendly, the state is making life more difficult for the poor and working-class. But it's not just them who are being hurt.

The ultimate result of the policies Michigan has been pursuing is an inevitable downward spiral that's pulling us all under by making the state a less desirable place to live and do business.

In a very real sense, the report provides yet another refutation of conservative economic policies. The evidence is abundantly clear: We can't cut our way to prosperity, and we can't continue to pursue regressive tax policies that put a disproportionate share of the burden on the working class and the poor. It is a reality that some other states have grasped.

more...
http://metrotimes.com/news/michigan-s-wrong-direction-1.1426772

[ReRe]

1. Wow...

...Michigan really screwed itself when they elected all those Republicans. Somewhere in those articles I think I read that Snyder's been in there 3 years. I hope the electorate comes to it's senses in its upcoming elections. Didn't Mich used to be a strong Democratic state?

[SpartanDem]

3. Michigan's never been a strong Democratic state

Nationally we were pretty Republican Eisenhower won Michigan and after Kennedy and Johnson Michigan didn't vote Dem until Clinton. Statewide as far as governor it's been 50/50 since the 70's.

[ReRe]

6. OK...

I couldn't remember. How do you think this is setting with the ones who elected him? These measures are going to hurt them too.

[SpartanDem]

8. I think there is a lot buyers remore

Synder ran as moderate but right to work I think finally undid that image. Hopefully this ruins the Republican brand in this state for good no Republican has won nationally since 1988, and it's long overdue that we stop putting Republicans in statewide offices.

[2naSalit]

2. I wonder how he is going to

deal with the issue when trucking companies and independent operators in particular refuse to enter the state due to this policy blunder. He's not real bright is he? When the private automobile taxes increase and fuel costs increase, most transportation operations see their rates increase exponentially in comparison and causing those operators to make a point of avoiding operating in those states. If there are any trucking companies left in the state, the angry workers would probably benefit from getting into a cooperative relationship with the transportation industry and shut down the state, there's not much left to lose at this point given all the removal of elected municipal officials in most of the cities. If he wants to continue to shove the rusty shaft in bad places, the victims can make a stand that will really hurt. Although, in my many years of driving, I can't really recall a time when the roads were very good in the lower peninsula.

[okaawhatever]

4. Gasoline taxes & car registrations are inherently regressive

Get the dems to push a registration cost by price of vehicle. The regressive nature of making everyone pay the same $100 bucks in addition to being unfair won't raise much revenue. Initial license plate 50 bucks plus 1/2% price of the car.

[davidpdx]

5. We should start calling him Robbin' the Poor

[corkhead]

7. raising vehicle registration fees is another example of privatized profits and socialized costs.

They will be paid disproportionally by people like me while the "Blessed Corporations", who shall pay no taxes, get off relatively free considering the damage their giant vehicles do to the roads. My Michigan registered Honda Fit does virtually zero damage to Michigan roads compared to the dozens of Arkansas registered Walmart tractor trailers (just one example) that are beating up our roads every day for free.

[Grins]

9. But...but...but...Grover said...

...even hikes in fees were tax increases!

This is no way to drown in a bathtub.

[Buzz505]

10. Tax the corporations!

Corporations should pay taxes.

[Exultant Democracy]

11. Republicans love raising fees as much as they love cuttin taxes.

Stupid republican voters don't know a shell game when they see one.