Lawmakers want to give voters alternative to roads ballot proposal

Michigan Public | By Jake Neher

Published January 29, 2015 at 3:45 PM EST

Credit LisaW123 / Flickr

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Some state lawmakers want to give voters an alternative to the May 5^th ballot proposal to boost funding for roads. That measure would raise the sales tax from six percent to seven percent.

State Representative AnthonyForlini wants to pass a backup plan to raise the money. It would only take effect if voters reject the sales tax increase.

“I think it would be prudent for us to start working on the alternative," Forlini said. "I think the public needs to know, if it doesn’t pass on May 5^th, what is the alternative?”

Forlini voted for legislation that put the sales tax proposal on the May ballot.

Recent polling and analysis suggests the ballot question may be in trouble.

Jake Neher

Jake Neher is a state Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He joined MPRN in September of 2012. Before that he served as a reporter and anchor for WFUV Public Radio in the Bronx, New York, and as News Director for KBRW Public Radio in Barrow, Alaska. He has been working in radio in some capacity since he was 15 years old. A native of southeast Michigan, Jake graduated from Central Michigan University in 2010. He has a master's degree in public communications from Fordham University.

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