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Gov. Whitmer willing to look at graduated income tax to pay for fixing roads

(file photo)
steve carmody
/
Michigan Radio
(file photo)
(file photo)
Credit steve carmody / Michigan Radio
/
Michigan Radio
(file photo)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’ll take a close look at a proposal that would create a graduated income tax in Michigan.

A graduated income tax would increase the tax burden of wealthier Michiganders. 

The Detroit Free Pressreports increasing the state’s tax burden on wealthier Michiganders would generate more than two billion dollars annually.

Whitmer’s efforts to hike the state’s gasoline taxby 45 cents to generate more money to fix the state’s crumbling roads have been stalled by Legislative Republicans.   

A supporter of a graduated income tax in the past, Whitmer appears open to it as an option for raising money for roads.

“I’m still resolute that we got to fix the roads,” Whitmer told reporters in Flint this week. “And when we do it the right way, it gives us the ability to put school aid fund dollars back in the education of our kids.   General Fund dollars out of potholes and into cleaning up things like drinking water.”

The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan voters could be asked to approve a graduated income tax possibly as early as the November 2020 election.

Copyright 2019 Michigan Radio

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A