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February 22, 2012

Forum: Infrastructure laws for drivers

By Mike Nystrom ----

Gov. Rick Snyder demonstrated his leadership style of relentless positive action by delivering an infrastructure message last October and then reinforcing it in his January State of the State address, which both called for increased transportation funding.

Progress on providing that funding for Michigan is being paved with a bipartisan package of bills that is making its way through the Legislature. The bills will ultimately help Michigan's economy and benefit every Michigan driver.

Infrastructure is a basic public service that needs to be provided for by our government. Because of inadequate funding, most road agencies in Michigan have been struggling to provide basic public service, such as filling potholes, repairing bridges, snow plowing and trimming grass. In addition, many have made significant changes to become leaner and more efficient with taxpayer dollars.

In order to boost investment, we must consider adjustments to the traditional user fees such as fuel taxes and registration fees. These are the only two revenue sources collected by our state even as prices at the pump fluctuate drastically each week. Not a penny of the 6 percent sales tax that is paid on every gallon of gas is dedicated to Michigan's roads and bridges.

While the infrastructure legislation moves through the Legislature, there has been much debate in the media regarding whether lawmakers need to "tread carefully" with any plans to raise the gas tax and registration fees. What we need to focus on even more are the benefits the legislation will provide to the public.

The first benefit is jobs/economic growth in all major segments of our state affected by transportation, such as tourism, manufacturing and agriculture. Secondly, increased funding will provide for fewer crumbling roads and safer bridges. Thirdly, funding will ultimately result in fewer orange barrels around the same stretch of road every few years as the "band-aid" approach to road repairs is replaced by reconstruction that will last much longer. Finally, the reforms that are included in the package will help guarantee that taxpayer dollars are being used wisely and efficiently.

All of those benefits will be possible because of increased revenue to fill the transportation funding pot that has been steadily dwindling. In real inflation-adjusted dollars, the revenue that is collected today for our infrastructure is equal to that which was collected in 1974; and yet, the cost of construction materials, such as steel, cement, asphalt and diesel fuel, have escalated dramatically due to global demand.

Meanwhile, our infrastructure has suffered. Currently, 32 percent of Michigan's roads are ranked in poor condition. It is estimated that by 2018 this number will jump to more than 65 percent.

The time for finding a solution for Michigan's dramatic infrastructure needs is now. What we need is continued relentless positive action on the part of our elected leaders in Lansing, and we encourage them to be bold and long-term in their thinking. The proposed package of bills will benefit all residents of Michigan, the state that put the world on wheels.

About the author: Mike Nystrom is executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, a statewide association representing the interests of the heavy construction industry; and co-chair of the Michigan Transportation Team, a coalition of more than 80 companies, associations and labor unions working to obtain increased funding for Michigan roads and bridges. On the Web at: www.drivemi.org.

About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by emailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.

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