The battle heats up over Michigan’s road funding proposal

The Coalition Against Higher Taxes and Special Interest Deals is a new group opposed to the increase in sales tax put forth by the Michigan Legislature. Paul Egan of Michigan.com, published in the Lansing State Journal reports that the coalition registered Thursday with the Secretary of State.

Speaking with Mr. Egan, Paul Mitchell, the group's treasurer says that the "special interest deals" included in the road funding legislation are unfair to Michigan's citizens. The bill proposes an increase in the state's general sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, and the removal of the sales tax on gasoline. It's passage sent it to Michigan voters to be decided in May.

While there is widespread agreement that Michigan's roads need fixing, the Coalition Against Higher Taxes and Special Interest Deals is combating the bill for where the money will be spent, according to Mitchell. The bill divvies $1.2 billion per year for road and bridge repairs, and an additional $495 million for local government, transit, and K-12 schools.

Egan reports that this group is the second to arise in opposition, the first being Protect MI Taxpayers. Both groups will spend money to campaign for a "No" vote on the road funding bill. A group called Michigan Citizens for Better Roads and Schools has also been started to urge the public for a "Yes" vote on the upcoming ballot proposal.