Michigan Votes Forum

 Wow! Just keep kicking your constituents while we're down . . . but don't count on us forgiving and forgetting come election day.

If the gas tax is increased then the sales tax on gasoline should be removed.  All of the tax collected should go towards roads.  None of it should go to public transit or the general budget.

Excise taxes (like those on motor fuel) are inherently regressive, having the greatest negative (real cost) impact on those who can least afford to pay them.  This proposed increase is a bad idea.

Yes, Michigan roads are in appallingly poor condition.  But there is no built-in guarantee that these proposed tax increases will measurably correct that situation.  On the other hand, they certainly would reduce the amount of money working class people have to spend on consumer goods, recreational travel and activity, and the like, which spending is said to be the key to our economic recovery.  Those who are underemployed or marginally employedwoulod be especially hard hit.

There is no question that Michigan is in dire need of increased tax revenues.  To that end, a serious effort should be mounted to amend the state constitution to provide for a graduated income tax, which would spread the burden more bearably.  General fund moneys raised by that mechanism belong in the road budget.  In the meantime, we should continue to reject regressive tax increase proposals like this one.

Take a look you Pols where the gas tax is going now and then come back and tell me to vote yes on a HIKE!

 The real problem with this states budget is that we have far too many entitlement programs. The government at all levels needs to stick with providing a military force, law enforcementand, and legal system to protect it's citizens. Both State and Federal Government must cut Welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security entitlements by 90%. These are all failed programs. Local governments can cut firefighters and implement volunteer fire departments. Then redirect the money saved towards increased law enforcement. The education system is a sham. The more money that is thrown into the education system the worse the education that is provided to our children. The state should embrace homeschooling and Privatization of the education system that is primarily funded by the parents of the children attending schools outside of the home. Increase efforts towards community volunteerism. I have fellow employees that called in to work and stated that they could not make it to work because the city had not conducted snow removal on their street. This is a perfect example of how entitled we as a society have become. The good thing is that Democrats and Republicans that continue to raise taxes and fund failed policies such as the aformentioned will eventually run out of money or citizens to horse whip and these failed programs will come to their long over due end.