House Leaders to Introduce Gas Tax Increase

$1 billion plan would create 50,000 jobs, relieve congestion, fix crumbling roads and bridges
Tuesday, April 3, 2007, signals a major milestone for MITA’s effort to raise an additional $1 billion a year for Michigan’s transportation network.

The year and a half effort to raise Michigan’s gas tax and vehicle registration fee takes a major leap on Tuesday at 1 pm with a press conference on the front steps of the capitol announcing the introduction of legislation by both Republican and Democrat leaders in the House.

Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Democratic Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and House Republican Leader, Craig DeRoche, will join forces to call for a $1 billion a year increase in investment in infrastructure. Also speaking at the press conference will be representatives of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, organized labor, local government organizations as well as MITA.

The plan would includes:

• 9-cent gas tax increase phased-in for three years (3/3/3) – creating $450 million
• Diesel tax parity phased-in over three years (7/3/3) – creating $120 million
• 50 percent increase in vehicle registration fees – creating $500 million

MITA staff is very pleased to make this announcement to our membership. This is a major breakthrough in our effort to provide the single largest road funding increase in Michigan history. MITA members are welcome to attend the press conference on Tuesday. Please RSVP to the MITA office.

Our success to date has been a reflection of the influence of our organization. The financial commitment of our members has been key. For those who have contributed already this year, we appreciate your continuing support. For those who have not yet written a PAC check, we ask you to consider doing so soon. This is an absolutely critical time in our effort and this is one significant way you can help.

For more information please contact Mike Nystrom, Vice President of Government & Public Relations at mikenystrom@mi-ita.com or Keith Ledbetter, Director of Legislative Affairs at keithledbetter@mi-ita.com, or call the MITA office at (517) 347-8336.