Supporting Michigan's Proposal 1

Supporting Michigan's Proposal 1

LANSING - In just 12 days, the future of Michigan roads, bridges, and finances will lie in the hands of Michigan voters.

Supporters of Proposal 1 say the biggest benefit to voting yes May 5th is to fix our roads and bridges, but that's not all.

"Small business owners in mid-Michigan are well aware of the poor condition of our roads. They depend on a good infrastructure to transport their goods and services, to get people to visit Lansing and to see all of our various attractions," said Michael Rodgers, the Vice President of Communications at the Small Business Association of Michigan.

In addition, the proposal is mapped out to increase revenue for schools, local cities and even low-income families.

"What this does, is it really helps offset the impact that an increase in sales tax would have on those who earn the least in Michigan, this is really important," said Gilda Jacobs, the CEO of Michigan League for Public Policy.

The proposal would also help low-income families by placing more buses on roads, which would help people get to work and create new jobs.

"Michigan needs to do something if we want to remain economically competitive in years to come. It's not only important to small businesses and small business owners, but everyone wants to live here and thrive," Rodgers said.

In order to do so, supporters say it all comes down to Proposal 1 and the vote of the people.

"We can no longer squeeze the resources any further that we have in our state, we just don't have the money to do it all without the passage of Proposal 1," Jacobs said.

The total package is estimated to generate $1.3 billion a year for roads and bridges, $300 million for the School Aid Fund and $95 million for local governments.

"We think one of the really effective things about Proposal 1 is the way it raises money for road and infrastructure repair as opposed to simply issuing new debt, it's kind of like we will be collecting money and putting it in a savings account that will then draw down to pay for road improvements, rather than putting road improvement money on a credit card that has to be paid off in the future," Rodgers said.

Proposal 1 is also backed by leading law enforcement groups, other businesses and both political parties.

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