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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