Public Media from Michigan State University

Analyst: re-shuffling existing state revenue to fix roads will be politically challenging

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Jake Neher/MPRN

Last night, months of impassioned rhetoric, TV spots and old fashioned stumping came to an abrupt end. Michigan voters soundly defeated Proposal 1, the constitutional amendment designed to fund repairs to the state’s faltering roads. The proposal would have increased the state sales tax by one percent, while also sending money to schools and local governments.Turnout at the polls was reportedly very low. Unofficial results say less than 20 percent.

The vote now leaves Michigan lawmakers with some hard decisions and few choices about how to proceed with rebuilding critical infrastructure while keeping the rest of its fiscal house in order.

Current State talks about the aftermath of the Prop 1 vote with Bob Schneider, director of state affairs for the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.

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Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.