House Committee To Vote On Michigan Road Funding Package

LANSING (AP) - A Michigan legislative committee is expected to vote on a package proposed by Republican House Speaker Kevin Cotter to eventually put more than $1 billion a year toward repairing the state's roads.

The House Roads and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to vote on the bills on Wednesday afternoon.

The bills would pay for road work by tapping into restricted funds that now support economic development programs such as film incentives, using some general fund money, and eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income working families.

The plan also would raise the diesel tax from 15 cents to 19 cents to match the gas tax, then index both to inflation. And it would levy a user fee on hybrid, electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles.