Voters will go to the polls on May 5, 2015 to decide whether we should raise taxes and fees to the tune of about 2 billion dollars a year. The primary reason according to lawmakers and the Governor of course is to fix roads and infrastructure. However reading the final proposal language makes you wonder.

Take a look for yourself. Here is the proposal and it’s final language approved for the ballot:

PROPOSAL 15-1

A proposal to amend the State Constitution to increase the sales/use tax from 6%

to 7% to replace and supplement reduced revenue to the School Aid Fund and local units of government caused by the elimination of the sales/use tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles operating on public roads, and to give effect to laws that provide additional money for roads and other transportation purposes by increasing the gas tax and vehicle registration fees.

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

-Eliminate sales / use taxes on gasoline / diesel fuel for vehicles on public roads.

-Increase portion of use tax dedicated to School Aid Fund (SAF).

-Expand use of SAF to community colleges and career / technical education, and

-prohibit use for 4-year colleges / universities.

-Give effect to laws, including those that:

-Increase sales / use tax to 7%, as authorized by constitutional amendment.

-Increase gasoline / diesel fuel tax and adjust annually for inflation,

-Increase vehicle registration fees, and dedicate revenue for roads and other transportation purposes.

-Expand competitive bidding and warranties for road projects.

-Increase earned income tax credit.

Should this proposal be adopted?

YES [ ]

NO [ ]

My guess remains the same; Michigan voters will reject this proposal on a more than two to one margin. I reserve the right to adjust my prediction but I am quite sure that won’t be necessary.

 

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