LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Thousands of construction workers and union members rallied outside Michigan’s Capitol this week, calling for immediate action on long-term road funding. Inside the legislature, House Republicans unveiled their budget plan last week, which would direct more than $3 billion toward repairing state and local roads.
The GOP proposal includes $3.4 billion more for the Michigan Department of Transportation, nearly $1 billion for city agencies, and $1.3 billion for county commissions. Republicans argue they can fund the boost without raising taxes by converting the state’s sales tax on fuel into a direct gas tax.
Supporters say the plan could provide a lifeline for communities struggling with deteriorating roads. But Democrats warn the plan comes with steep trade-offs, including eliminating thousands of state government jobs and cutting across multiple departments.
For workers at the Capitol rally, the debate is more than numbers on a page.
“Union employment allows me to provide for my daughter, and that’s not just a slogan, it’s my life,” Said Jessica York, Apprentice with Operating Engineers 234. “But without a sustainable road funding plan, projects stall, workers like me get fewer hours, and families like mine feel the strain.
With budget negotiations underway, lawmakers face a tight deadline. A final deal must be reached before October 1 to avoid a government shutdown.
