Michigan Lawmakers Have No Guts !!

What is Wrong With Them?

Gutless In Lansing

 

Well my wife hit the nail on the head when it comes to making decisions, the tough decisions about our roads in Michigan. She said that those Hot Dogs in the Michigan legislature don't have it in them. The haven't the guts !

We all know that before the midterm elections, those wimps in Lansing we're too afraid to do anything about the roads because in order to get re-elected they didn't want to raise taxes or take money from anybody or any other program. That wouldn't get them votes. Now everyone thinks they have come up with this wonderful plan to raise money and finally get our roads fixed. The truth is all they have done is figure out a way to be able to continue to say "I never raised your taxes", and instead, put the onus on you and me. To put it on a ballot. That means come re-election time again they can say "I didn't raise taxes. You did, you people, you raised the taxes !!. And by the same token they can say, if the ballot initiative does not pass, "It's all Your Fault. You people didn't have it in You !!"

That will be their story if the ballot initiative does not pass;  "Well the roads aren't fixed because you people didn't want to do anything about them."

So once again, they will have done nothing and will continue to do nothing to fix our roads. Nothing that we hire them to do. They're all a bunch of wimps. We should fire them all. Or better yet, let's just get enough money to buy the concrete and asphalt, put reflective vest and hard hats on them (actually their heads are hard enough as it is) and have Them go out and fix the roads themselves. That's what we're already paying them to do. Oh, and we'll let them take their brand new chairs along, that way when they get tired they will have a nice comfy place to sit down and rest.

Come to think of it, the truth is,

A Michigan hot dog has more guts in it than these wimps in Lansing.

So if you think that there's good news in Lansing and yours and my roads are going to be fixed soon, thank again. The fat lady hasn't sung yet.

Drive careful,

Will

Michigan Gas Taxes: A Primer

Well, I have not posted in a while. At first it was because before the Michigan Mid-Term elections, I was hearing Next to Nothing about what the Career and Wanna-be Career Politicians had in mind for fixing Michigan roads. The silence on the subject during campaigning was deafening indeed. So I decided to wait until after the elections (corporate hiring) was finished. It just seemed to make no sense.

Now I have just seen something and I want to write about it...

Anyway, just wanted to highlight a great video which I highly encourage any and all Michigan drivers to look at. It's just a few minutes and is very informative. After all, we face the reality of gas tax increases in Michigan if the roads will ever get better.

See the video on the Just Fix The Roads website:

Michigan Gas Taxes: A Primer 

So with my Michigan Road Warrior juices flowing again it is time to post about potholes anew. The Pothole Paradise - Michigan.

As always Drive Careful,
Will

Michigans Bad Roads Don't Just Suck - They Cost Us Money

When a Sign is Worth a Thousand Words

The only thing I can say about this sign is; It's Not Big Enough and there are Not Enough of Them.

Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) released a calculator that tallies how much legislative inaction on road funding is costing Michigan taxpayers.

The calculator demonstrates the cost per second of inaction by the Michigan Legislature starting on June 12, when they left on summer break.

It appeared on one of my favorite web sites (Pothole Paradise is my absolute fave) JustFixTheRoads.com , and it keeps updating, working, even though Michigan lawmakers do not.

I encourage you to click on it below and check out the article.

Lots of good information and links on the site. If you know of any other good sites, informational or blogs, that talk about Michigan's lousy roads, and what we can do to get them fixed like other states, PLEASE let me know. Leave a comment or drop an email.

And as always, I encourage you to get a Bumper Sticker and let Michigan lawmakers know they have a job to do FIX OUR ROADS !

Just click on the Tab at the Top of the Page.  Thanks!

Drive Careful
Will

Fix Our Roads : News On Michigan Roads

Been away for a week or so. And what's new about the shape of Michigan's Roads and the prospect of getting them fixed? Well, one more bent rim on Miley (by trusty Volvo). Huge pothole at an intersection right on the edge of the pavement. WHAM! What more can I say.

In other Michigan Road News: Links

Road Salt will cost more this winter.
That's right. According to MIlive.com...

Like many Michigan cities and road commissions, Ottawa County buys road salt through a state-run bidding program. An “unusually harsh winter” has changed the market for road salt this year, according to the program, and “vendors have not sufficiently rebuilt their stockpiles which has resulted in scarce supply and significantly higher prices.”

There is also a neat database to see how much your city is spending on Road Salt.


State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville needs ideas on how to Fix Michigan Roads!

"...quite frankly, we’re looking at all ideas now – newer ideas,” said Richardville. “And we’re not afraid to entertain anything from anyone.”

State Rep says 'Give me your ideas on how to fix the roads' !?! WTF ??  Apparently he doesn't know how to do the job he's being paid for... I guess that's really not news.

Farmers Almanac says this winter will be as bad or worse than last.
Article mentions southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois and guess what.  We're right next to them.

I'll be back soon. Until then...


Drive Careful,
Will

Crude Numbers: What It Won't Cost To Fix Michigan Roads

A couple of times on in this blog, I have mentioned either friends and relatives or my own pothole related car repairs. Thousands of dollars between just a half dozen or so people. 

The Michigan legislature agrees it will take about 1.4 Billion dollars to just get a start on Really fixing Michigan roads. And then about that much each year for the next 5-10 years to get them up to national standards. They have historically been spending only a small fraction of that, neglecting one of the jobs we hired them to do.

And they continue to arrogantly refuse to fund a fix to this huge problem in spite of the proof that Michigan citizens want and are willing to pay for road repairs. To have what people in other states have. Good Roads.

Lawmakers here say we don't want higher taxes (translation: 'If I raise your taxes you wont vote for me and I'll lose my job.'). Yet polls say we ARE willing to pay for better roads. That would mean among other things, lower auto repairs. So what would that get us?

Let's say each of us pays on average about $100.00 less a year on bad road related repairs to our cars, and take a portion of that savings if we get good roads and put it back into road repairs. Is that a reasonable number? Well consider this: Several well researched reports have stated that Michigan drivers pay an annual average of $538.96 in bad-road-related repairs, the highest among motorists in the Great Lakes States. But get this; One report I found, a TRIP report by the National Transportation Research Group released in January of this year stated in it's summary "Deficient roadways cost Detroit area drivers $1,600 annually, Lansing area drivers $1032 annually, and Grand Rapids area drivers $1,027 annually for a total of $7.7 billion statewide. Costs will rise and transportation woes will worsen without a significant funding boost.". The full report can be found here.

That is a crap load of money! Just look at MY bad road related repairs in the last 6 months, just about all front end parts busted by bad roads -

PLEASE MAKE IT STOP !!

What would we get if we took just a portion of that money, less NORMAL wear and tear related repairs and put it toward repairing and improving Michigan roads?

Here's what I read in an article by Rick Haglund titled A Tale of Two States: The Road To Prosperity.

 

        "In fiscal year 2013, Minnesota spent $502 per capita on transportation from state taxes, more than double the $223 per capita Michigan spent that year."

What's that got to do with car repairs? Again in the article Mr. Haglund said:

"What about Minnesota? You guessed it. Motorists there pay an average of $369.25 in repairing damage caused by poor roads, the lowest in the Great Lakes region, according to a White House report."

So, it won't cost us As Much in car repairs if we Fix Our Roads. And we can take some of that savings and put it back into fixing and maintaining our roads, something most of us in Michigan want to do. It just makes sense. In the end we all save money, improve business (businesses save on vehicle repairs too and tourism benefits), have less stress and plain feel better about our Great State of Michigan. Something I can not say right now about our negligent - self-serving legislators (my good opinion).

To sum it up. It won't cost us as much to Fix Our Roads as it does now to keep fixing our cars! Period.

Just sayin'

Drive Careful,
Will

A Pothole Filled Road Trip: So What's New?

Took a road trip to Southfield for business last week. Something happened I knew was just a matter of time. While I am quite experienced at avoiding potholes, cracks and chunks of broken pavement in the road (all without cops stopping me for suspected drunk driving) I realized after a particularly bad bunch of holes that some significant damage had been done to my Volvo. Incidentally, my beloved Volvo is called "Miley", get it?

So here are some shots of what I experienced. Miles of crappy roads. Nothing new for Michigan of course, except for the expen$ive damage to Miley.

Nice Start Entering Southfield

Southfields Master Traffic Plan: Don't fix the intersections and traffic will naturally slow down !

Lots of these. Placed right where Both Wheels will hit it's own hole.

Some work at Ten Mile & Evergreen

Above is the only real work I saw being done in Southfield on the trip. While it's good to see something, it's really only a drop in the bucket and the vast majority of Southfield's roads are deplorable.

Every major intersection in Southfield was a repeat. More of the same. Uggh!

Well the whole trip wasn't just jarring jolts and bangs. Even though I did leave the city with significant damage to Miley, on the way home there was something pretty and relaxing to view and it was not a roadway....

Just the thing to calm my nerves after the awful roads. 

"Hi Guy. Enjoy the Clover."

That's it. Next time my road trip to Dexter, Michigan and do things change? Come back and see.

Don't forget to get your All New

"Fix Our Roads" Bumper Sticker

Just $5.00 w/free shipping for one. Our 10" X 3", 4mil vinyl stickers are easy to apply and created to withstand outdoor use. Stick them to your car, truck, or any smooth surface.

Just Go to the Bumper Stickers tab at the top of the page to order yours today!

Let the last thing a Michigan Lawmaker sees before he rear ends you, 

"FIX OUR ROADS" 

 
Drive Careful,
Will

Royal Oak To Consider Road Repair Tax

If your constituents said they are willing to pay for fixing roads, what would you do?

The city of Royal Oak, Michigan, is considering a road tax to repair some of its 200+ miles of roads. Why? Because the roads there are in desperate need of repair and when asked in a recent city-wide survey if residents would support a modest tax increase dedicated to maintain and reconstruct local roads, the response was "yes". To be exact, 57% yes. So, City Manager Don Johnson, in a letter to city commissioners, recommended a ballot proposal asking voters to approve a 2.5-mills tax hike for roads for a period of 10 years. Good for you Mr. Johnson. You are doing you job admirably. And so it looks like a tax proposal will be on the ballot in Royal Oak for the people to decide.

|The city manager (of Royal Oak) said he doesn’t expect the state Legislature to offer any relief for local road funding.|

What about Michigan roads? When a poll commissioned by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce showed Michigan motorists are willing to pay the price of fixing the state’s crumbling roads, it seemed like a 'no brainer' for Lansing lawmakers. Right. Did I say 'no brainer' and Lansing lawmakers in the same sentence? Well you get my drift don't you? In spite of what the people in Michigan said they wanted the hired help in Lansing to do, nothing was done. No vote on road taxes, no roads repaired and a multi-billion road repair situation unaddressed and getting worse every day.

Well good for you Royal Oak by choosing to take matters into your own hands and asking voters in November to support a 10-year tax increase of 2.5 mills to repair the rough road terrain around Royal Oak. Let the voters do what Lansing will not do for you. And just a suggestion: How about the following sign...

 

Hey Lansing - Get It?

Look, doing your job is not always easy, just ask any parent etc. Even the question of raising money to fix Michigan roads is hard to raise. But if Royal Oak has the balls to raise the question and put it to voters, why can't our employees in Lansing do it? Guess they are just afraid of the voters. Wait 'till we fire them in November. Just say'n.


Drive Careful,
Will

Michigan Will Hire Lame Ducks To Fix Our Roads

New plan was hinted at by Top State House Democrat.

While searching for articles on the web yesterday, about Michigan road conditions and what is being done to achieve a fix, I came across one with a surprising new and innovative idea on how to tackle the problem. One that Michigan lawmakers do not have the backbone to do themselves.

Michigan Lame Ducks Off To Fix Roads

Apparently it is going to take a bunch of lame ducks to finally fix our roads. According to State House Minority Leader Tim Greimel 'a vote on road funding likely won't come until the Legislature's lame duck session'. The good news is that lame ducks work for 'chicken feed' and good health care. That we can offer them.


“I think there’s a very high likelihood that it doesn’t occur until lame duck, unfortunately,” said Greimel, D-Auburn Hills. He appeared on the Michigan Public Television program Off the Record. You can see the program here...

It's good to hear that somebody with something sensible to say in Lansing is finally being honest about what is needed to address Michigan's lousy road issues. Hell, nothing else has worked, why NOT think outside the box? Although if you ask me, and as far as I'm concerned you did, this plan has about as much a chance of working as a Michigan Legislator on summer recess. May as well try the ducks!

Give a Duck a Brake

Do you think I am joking? Michigan roads are a joke. What I am serious about is that from my point of view, NOTHING is being done to Fix Our Roads.

 
So, just to warn you, better be looking out for signs like these this fall. Seems only Lame Ducks have the balls to do the job. How sad.

Drive Careful,

Will

Michigan To Receive $115 Million For Fixing Roads

"Thanks for the effort" I told him.

Michigan Road Repair Fund

A long time ago, I had finished cleaning our pool and asked a friend if he'd like to come over and help me fill it up so it would be ready for the swimming season. A while later he showed up all right, with a bucket.

$115 Million ??

Not that I didn't appreciate his thought, but he really did not quite get the scope of the job. I said 'great, well throw a few buckets of water in and then ask the relatives to come on over and jump in'. He didn't get the joke. In reality, we always had water trucked in by tanker after a big clean-up and I simply wanted him to help with the hoses and such.

Well here in Michigan it is news that the state will receive a $115 million in special state funding this year for 124 specific road projects in certain districts. Now that is against a few numbers being tossed about of some $1.4 Billion needed each year just to get the roads "up to speed" so to speak. While it's more than a few bucket fulls in a swimming pool, $115 million IS less than 10% of what is needed just to start. How is a few percent of what is needed going to fix not just Michigan roads, but Michigan's lousy reputation as having the worst roads in our nation? It's not.

Good job on the $115 million, but I'm not just ready to jump in yet. Not even close. Lansing, JUST FIX OUR ROADS!

Details on the Road Funding...

Michigan Road Funding Will Be Cut Without Action

Will Michigan face a reduction in critical road funding if no action is taken by lawmakers?

That remains to be seen. In two Internet articles I have come across today the threat seems to be real. The very important federal Highway Trust Fund is on the ropes. It may soon run out and what does that mean for Michigan roads?

Both the Detroit News and Michigan Radio have brought up the ugly news. News almost as bad as a Michigan Pothole. Well maybe not much could be done by Michigan lawmakers about the Federal road trust fund, however I can't stop thinking that if Federal dollars (about 80 percent of Michigan road work is funded through federal Highway Trust Fund dollars) shrink or go away it is going to make raising road funds in this state that much harder. What ever can be raised will have to go that much further.

Is Our Road Money going Down the Toilet?

By not acting like leaders and addressing road repair and improvement issues in the past years when the fund was healthy, I can't help think that our Michigan legislators are flushing money and opportunities down the toilet. And you may well know how difficult it can be to get what went down the toilet out again. Our roads just get worse and worse.

If those in Lansing won't Just Fix Our Roads, their jobs can take that trip down the toilet too. Just sayin'.

Drive Careful,
Will

U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio Thinks He Can Fix Michigan Roads

I hear that U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, R-Milford, has an idea on how to fix our terrible Michigan roads. Nice. He has introduced an "old fashioned" act he thinks will do the job. Here is what he has said...

Michiganians are fed up with navigating potholes after a hard winter. Transportation spending is one of the top concerns I hear from constituents. We in Congress need to take a different approach to fixing our streets: one that empowers local leaders and lessens the control of congressional appropriators over our lives. That’s why I have introduced the Repairing Our Aging Roads (ROAR) Act.

Well it's good someone representing us is making some noise, since the one's in Lansing don't seem to want to. You can read Mr. Bentivolio's explanation of the Repairing Our Aging Roads (ROAR) Act at the Detroit News Website Here.

Is Roaring the Answer ?

Maybe instead of Making Noise, Michigan legislators can Listen to what their constituents have consistently said, "Just Fix Our Roads". I don't necessarly agree with the whole ROAR act thing after looking into it, but I do agree we need action. Not inaction as we saw in the spring. I'm just sayin'.
 

Drive Careful,
Will

Required Summer Viewing For All Michigan Lawmakers

Do you think this should be required viewing for all Michigan Lawmakers?

Well I do. Especially "Not That Big A Deal" Majority Leader Randy Richardville.

On second thought, Required Viewing AND Driving !!!

When will it all end? It's up to us, You and Me. Come back often for new stuff, offers, comments...

Drive Careful,
Will

Cloud On The Horizon For Michigan Roads ?

You have heard the expression "there are clouds on the horizon" or something like that, and think of something bad forthcoming. Well sometimes an interesting cloud can be cool and maybe something good.

Cool Cloud Means Good Roads ?

Saw this on Channel 7 TV News in Detroit the other day. It's both cool and something good. Here's why. It's cool because it's a cloud shaped like a mitten, the Great State of Michigan, at least from the photographers angle. It's good because I say it is. It's telling me that someone bigger than just me is looking over Michigan and is going to make sure the roads are fixed.

Who Is Saying "Just Fix The Roads" ?

Now who is that bigger someone who has the power to really get done what the career politicians in Lansing won't ? It is you. And Me. Us. We have to talk to the Lansing lawmakers like "God from above" telling them they will take action this fall to fix Michigan roads or, well you know. I'm sure you have your opinion where God sends people that don't do what he says (it sure isn't back to their jobs in the legislature).

So, let's put the "Fear of God" in them. Maybe, just Maybe they will listen. If they know better.

Soon to come:

• List of Michigan Lawmaker contact information.
• Cool stuff you can get to send the message out: Just Fix The Roads !!

Thanks.



Drive Careful,
Will

More Work Needed On Michigan Roads

It's summer and Michigan Lawmakers are on vacation. Huh! Do you think they don't have any work planned ? Of course they do. In addition to the outings at the lake, trips to Disney World, golf games and what not (I am not against any of those things) you can bet they will be working hard at keeping their jobs. In other words campaigning. OK, that's the nature of the beast. Not that I think that most of them deserve re-election, but I don't hold that against them. I like to keep getting paid at what I do too.

There Is Still More Work We Must Do For Michigan Roads

Now what about the rest of us ? Sure, we all like to enjoy ourselves in the summer, and probably deserve it.

Michigan Road Trips Should Be Better Than This !

Not a problem. Maybe you're planning a road-trip right here in Michigan. But are you thinking about doing something this summer to get those do-nothing legislators to work for you when and if they come back to Lansing ? I mean getting them serious about Fixing Our Roads !

Let's not forget the important need to let them know they simply have to Fix Our Roads when they get back to work (the job we PAY them to do). They blew it this spring. If they don't listen to you this summer and really pass legislation this fall to fund road repair, then don't complain if our roads are just as bad next spring as they are now.

That's right, it us up to you and me. They have already shown they won't do anything about Michigan's lousy road conditions on their own, so we must call them - write to them - email them - hell, put a bumper sticker on your car and tell them "FIX OUR DAMN ROADS". Until they get the message, don't expect anything to get better. Let me know your ideas about how you think we can get'er done.

Remember, We're Not There Yet

Drive Careful,
Will

Bad Michigan Roads and a Funny Message for Michigan Lawmakers

I think this is funny. But Michigan State Rep's should be Crying ! We are Serious.

Just came across this hilarious cartoon by Mike Thompson on the Detroit Free Press web site. The point is clear. Click on the clip to get the full message...

Check It Out

Drive Careful,
Will

High Cost Of Michigans Bad Roads Hits Close To Home

While Michigan lawmakers are failing in their responsibility to fix our roads, you and I are already paying the cost.

Michigan's Bad Roads Cost Us All

A few days ago while I am watching the evening weather forecast on a local S.E. Michigan news channel, the weather guy is signing off. Before he goes he makes this all to familiar statement, 'Well tomorrow I'm picking up my car from my mechanic. New tires, new wheel, a new shock and one new CV joint. That's $1,200.00. All because of a huge pothole I hit.'

Wow. I feel your pain man. Myself and my daughter have paid hundreds of dollars in repair bills to our cars this past year, hers was to a brand new Dodge only three weeks off the showroom floor.

On a more serious note: A TV news report the other day was talking about the GM ignition problem, the recall, and mentioned this fact. That the switch with the problem was more likely to fail if heavily jarred, making it more likely that the key would shut the car off (including the airbag). Then without missing a beat the news reporter chimed in 'yeah, like on a road full of potholes'. The news channel was of course here in S.E. Michigan.

This blog has continued to stress the seriousness of the Extremely Bad Roads in Michigan. More than just money is involved. Peoples safety is at risk. Let your state representative know your concern, please.

Soon to come: Michigan State Representative Contact List

A list for your use to make it easier to let them know you want them to Just Fix Our Roads !


Drive Careful,
Will

Michigan Road Repair Funds Threatened By Federal Gas Tax Hike

Will a bipartisan Senate proposal on Wednesday to raise the federal tax on gasoline by 12 cents a gallon eat into any future Michigan road funding proposals ? Like one of those huge road grinding machines I say.

Will a Federal Gas Tax Increase Eat Up Michigan Road Fix Funds ?

Polls in the recent past have shown that a majority of Michigan residents are in favor of paying something more for gas if it means fixing Michigan roads. Something Lansing law makers are unwilling to do, against our wishes. If a proposed federal gas tax goes into effect, will we be just as willing to pay more for a fill up? Think of it - by delaying increasing Michigan road funding revenue, the do nothings in the Michigan legislature may have really screwed the pooch on this one. Instead of maybe 10 cents more for gas to fix our roads, we may be looking at 25 to 30 cents more for each gallon (with only a small fraction of the federal tax increase ending up in Michigan) ! And that is assuming 10 cents more for Michigan roads will even do the job. Way to go "Not That Big A Deal" Richardville. Yes that is what Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe said about the need to act on Fixing Our Roads.

Back in May, commentator Jack Lessenberry wrote on Michigan Radio -

"Republicans in the state Senate began talking about another tax cut late last winter before they were set upon by furious constituents. They didn’t want a tax cut, they demanded the roads be fixed."

Sounds like that's going to be a bit harder if a federal gas tax increase shows up at the pumps. Way to go you guys in Lansing. Keep sitting on your hands doing next to nothing. Hope you enjoy your summer break. Good luck getting re-elected and all. Just saying 'ya know.

Drive Careful,
Wll

Michigan Potholes Are Here To Stay

Last Friday I awoke with this startling revelation: Michigan lawmakers Like Potholes - Don't Like their

Are Michigan Potholes Here To Stay ?

Constituents.

So it seems the Michigan Potholes are here to stay, and so are our lawmakers. But the lawmakers are not staying in Lansing. Nooooo. They are going on summer break. And the Michigan governor is not going to call them back to fix our roads. Not after the "guff" he took last year by doing such a terrible thing; making the lawmakers do their job. That tells me that the decision makers in Lansing Like our Potholes but Don't Like Us. You and me.

Actually I have been so upset about the crazy lack of performance in Lansing that I have not been able to write here for several days. Really ! It's like their inability & refusal to do their jobs has infected me. Well I took a pill and I'm over that now and I am going to write more than ever about Michigans Lousy Roads.

Let's face it, there are a lot of important things that need to be addressed each session in Lansing. Most issues face difficult to overcome opposition before a decision can be made one way or another. But I have yet to talk to or read a comment from a Michigander who does not agree that Michigan roads are dangerous and seriously in need of repair. And no one I have talked to seems to sympathize with the ones in charge of doing something about the need, but taking a break instead. Boo Hoo. I have read comments from paid representatives ranging from 'It's a complicated thing, fixing our roads and we shouldn't rush in to anything' to "It's no big deal"  Can you believe that! No big deal, having to not only suffer expensive car damage but people being injured AND dying !!! See article 'Man Dies Hitting Pothole'


So Michigan Potholes are Here to Stay - But ineffective and indecisive Michigan Lawmakers should not be. Join me in telling them "Either Fix Our Roads or Loose Your Job."

Please comment here or send me an email.  Say It Loud and Strong...

Fix Our Roads !

Just Saying. Wish you would say so too.

As always - Drive Careful,
Will

It's Obvious - Three Reasons Our Roads Are Lousey

If you've been around Michigan for a while and you have read some news, and have experienced first hand the darn right crappy roads here, you too may have come to some similar conclusions:

Here are Just 3 Obvious Reasons why our Michigan roads are in such bad shape.

1. Michigan's Really Bad Weather

Here in Michigan we have freezing winters and scorching summers. The resulting Thaw / Freeze cycle causes the cracks in the roads to grow and when chunks of pavement pop out, you have the beginning of a pothole.

 

2.  Big Heavy Trucks Pounding the Roads

When big trucks weighing dozens of tons with hard tires (70 + pounds of air pressure) hit small cracks and potholes, they become big potholes. Some big enough to wreck a cars suspension. 
 

And the Third Obvious Reason our roads are lousy...

Add-Ons To Road Funding Are Stupid

Lawmakers in Lansing are putting stupid ad-ons into a Road Funding Package that they know the people of Michigan want now.

My In-Laws once visited a family member doing volunteer work in a foreign country and hopped on a bus. After a couple of stops the bus was so over crowded that it began to lean and then the axle broke. Needless to say they did not get where they wanted to go on that bus.

Now our "bus drivers" in Lansing are arguing over ad-ons they want to load onto a Road Funding Package bus, with only two days before their summer break. Those arguments may lead to no road funding at all before then. As it is, most if not all of the money voted to go to fixing Michigan's deplorable and dangerous roads will not go to work until next year. That means another winter and spring of potholes and worse.

Tell them to forget ad-ons and vote on Fixing Roads ! Then they can take their break and maybe get re-elected.

Drive Carefully,
Will

Put A Head On That Pothole

Driving on the lousy roads here in Michigan, like a bad day at work, can make one think of finally making it home, kicking back and hoisting a can of Pothole Stout !

Yes, that's Pothole Stout.  Unlike the potholes in our roads, this beer is available only for a limited time,  and it may be hard to find.


And as the end of the un-lawmaking session is about here in Lansing without a vote on road funding in the Michigan budget,  we have another good excuse to "pop one open" and put a head on it.


Drive Carefully,
Will

Will a Tragedy Get Our Roads Fixed ?

Police ID Grand Rapids man, 42, killed on way to motorcycle gathering in Baldwin

Back in April, John McElroy had a podcast on his Automotive Insite show about Michigan roads. He brought up a disturbing possibility about what it will take to fix our roads.  Then about a month later the tragic news hit the pages in the above cited news article about a motorcycle accident involving a pothole .

OK, that's it I thought. Now the jerks in Lansing will do something positive, take some action because this it terrible news! This can not be ignored I believed.  BUT NO, they basically did nothing, probably didn't even notice the awful incident. Not many people did I suppose.  The real fear I have is that this kind of thing will happen again.  What will it take?

Now, as of today, no progress on road funding to provide a REAL fix.  Not just patches and band-aids.  All I hear in the news is that both parties can not come to an agreement.  Maybe they can agree we do not need another death due to terrible roads and possible to lawmakers indecision.

Drive Carefully,
Will

Can One Man Do What the Michigan Legislature Can Not ?

Go Bob !

So last night I am watching the news on TV and I see a report about a guy named "Bob".

Seems Bob has decided to do what our Michigan Law Makers refuse to do or are incapable of doing - Fix Our Roads.  Bob is literally, on his own, putting patch material in his pickup truck and taking a shovel and filling potholes on his street.  With cheers from his neighbors, Bob does not want anything from anyone (just wants his wife to be able to get home without driving the long way).  Bob just wants to Fix the Road.  One person who commented on the news report asked "Can I send My Tax Money to Bob?".

Well that comment is as much as one of frustration as a one of condemnation of our State Lawmaker's concern or ability to Fix Our Roads.  Yesterday after a meeting lasting an entire 15 minutes, no agreement could be made about how to raise money for the terrible road situation.  On Wednesday Jack Lessenberry on Michigan Public Radio's website said 'Good things happened in Michigan because lawmakers acted like adults'  in passing the so-called Grand Bargain to help give Detroit a chance to emerge from bankruptcy.

So much for acting like adults when it comes to Fixing Our Roads. Fifteen minutes with no agreement is about what could be expected from a couple of unruly kids.  Bob, I'd like to do something for you for your kind and decisive work.  Much better than what we're getting from the kids up in Lansing.

Drive Carefully,
Will

To Tax or Not To Tax - Is that Really the Question ?

To Tax or Not to Tax ?

About a month ago I read an article on the Michigan Public Radio web site by Jack Lessenberry about taxes in Michigan. He talked about how it seems that for the past 20 years, tax cuts in Michigan have done little to help out our economy or conditions, i.e. our crummy roads. Well, will new or more taxes fix our roads?

Right now, the roads are so bad in our state that both democrat and republican lawmakers are considering hiking the Michigan gas taxes and fees.

But critics say small businesses will struggle if we or they have to pay any more at the pump. Charlie Owens is with the National Federation of Independent Businesses. In my opinion he made a stupid comment on Michigan Radio: Owens says he wants the roads fixed, too – but they'd rather it happen by taking money from things like film incentives. Fact is that the Michigan film incentives this year will amount to only about $40 some million dollars. And that does not take into account that a good percentage of the incentive is made back up in the business it brings in to the state.

I say only $40 million because some if not most lawmakers agree that Michigan needs up to $2 Billion this year and ongoing to fix and maintain Michigan roads. Bring them up to a country wide standard. So - to tax or not to tax?

Most people I talk to are fed up with road conditions. Many have already paid a 'pothole tax' through busted tires and wheels etc. Most want better roads! Most according to recent polls are willing to pay something more be it taxes or fees or whatever to get better roads. So Michigan lawmakers, Get Off the Pothole and do what is necessary. Forget your careers and ambitions in politics and do your job or get out! Act like men and women doing what you are hired to do. Fix our roads!

OK enough ranting. I for one am making it known to Michigan lawmakers they should do what it takes, even if it hurts, to repair our roads and repair Michigan's reputation. Think what happens happens to tourism, a big thing in our state, when someone visits from another state and leaves with a big Pothole Repair Bill. Not good.

Michigan Lawmaker's Road Fix

Finally not to be a bearer of bad news, but I saw a report on WXYZ TV in Detroit the other day which reminded us that if and when new taxes are approved, we won't even see any result until 2015 !!!  More band-aids on the roads this summer and winter I guess, but we have to start somewhere.

Thanks for stopping by and
Drive Carefully,
Will

Show Me The Money

What would happen if you took a wad of $100 bills and stuffed them into a Michigan pothole?

My guess is that the first car passing over would send the bills flying and the pothole would be right back where it was before you shoved the bills in. Kind of like what happens to the "cold patch" we see being shoveled into a pothole a few days later.  Sure it helps for those few days, but many times not much longer.  Solution: Permanent Repairs.

In Michigan, some of the gas taxes we pay are supposed to go to fix the roads (potholes and all) and as we pay among the highest gas taxes and fees in the nation, it goes to figure that we should have some pretty good roads. Right ?  Not so simple.  As of April 2014 according to the Michigan Petroleum Association the sales tax we pay for each gallon of gas makes up 5.36 % of the total.  And according to Lance T. Binoniemi of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association."It's the biggest public policy problem we have, The general public does not understand that the 6 percent tax does not go to funding roads and bridges."  The state road funding in Michigan comes from the roughly 19-cents-per-gallon state motor fuel tax.

So, while we pay among the highest gas taxes and fees in the nation, we don't necessarily have the most $100 bills to shove into all our potholes.  Or to really fix our roads.

According to Crain's Detroit Business, a proposal being put forward by Michigan lawmakers would raise fuel taxes for road funding this way:

The tax would start at 9.5 percent, effectively increasing the state's 19-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax by 10 cents and doubling the 15-cent diesel tax assuming the statewide average wholesale price of gas is $3. The gas tax would rise to 11.5 percent (around 34 cents) in 2016 if prices stay intact, 13.5 percent (40 cents) in 2017 and 15.5 percent (46 cents) in 2018.

Is that going to Fix the Roads?  Well it is just one idea being put forward now.  More ideas to come, more arguments, more votes, more delays...  In the meantime, you and I will still pay the "Pothole" tax that is so hard to avoid - Constant repairs to our cars and trucks because our roads are not being fixed.  I for one am not going to stand by, I am going to let lawmakers know the potholes go or they go.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks!


Drive Careful,

Will

 











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Remembering

Two weeks ago, my wife and I lost a friend who had served in the Korean War.  I had known Perry for a little over a year. A kind, humorous man with a wonderful lot of life experience.  When talking to him I was surprised to find out the things we had in common.  A great many people showed up to remember him, including some people of note here in Michigan.

Knowing Perry makes me proud.  God Bless you for your service good man.

Drive Careful up there,
Will

Fix My Roads So They Are NOT The Worst In The Country

Apparently some people will argue wheather the roads are worse here in Michigan, than in Ohio or anywhere else.  Really.

The other day I was reading an article (I'm old enough to sometimes call what I read on the web an "article", so there) about the Michigan Senate finally using the B word as in a Billion plus Dollars when discussing a bill on funding road repairs and improvement.  It was the same day that the poll you may have heard about came out saying the majority of people in Michigan would pay more money each month to get the roads fixed.

One of the comments on the article said that a legislator was claiming that Michigan has "the country's worst roads", and that the statement was a deliberate distortion. Then there was a reply to that comment saying 'there are multiple reports that indicate that Michigan's infrastructure is one of the worst in the country' Another commentor said 'last month our visitors from GA described our local roads as "positively lunar" '.  Got'a love it.

I guess my take on that little back and forth is 'Well, here is where I live and here is where I drive Most of the time. 'Fix my roads'.  Selfish huh ? 

My daughter and son-in-law have a new car with custom wheels and not six months after they brought it home BANG two wheels and two tires shot !   That didn't happen in Ohio or Florida or any other state.  It happened in Michigan.  Fix my Roads. Dosen't matter if they win any awards for Worst or whatever. Fix my Roads.

Drive Carefull
Will