State House Passes Package to Raise Money for Roads

The state House on Wednesday passed a package of bills designed to fix Michigan's deteriorating roads, but the Senate is likely to come up with its own plan, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Kathleen Gray of the Detroit Free Press writes that the House bills are designed to raise about $1 billion a year through shifting existing funds in the state budget, eliminating a tax credit for the working poor, and raising the tax on diesel fuel and on fees on some vehicle registrations.

The Freep reports that the Senate is meeting behind closed doors to develop its own plan by redirecting state budget money, exploring new revenues and cutting spending in other areas of state government.

Democrats aren't happy with the House plan.