Jackson Mayor Says Pray for Potholes - God Will Fix Our Roads

'If God can part the Red Sea for Moses, he can fix the roads in Jackson'

Jackson Mississippi that is.

The mayor of Jackson MS says that the people of his fair city should pray for the good lord to get to the job done of fixing their pothole filled thoroughfares.

Apparently it is gonna take a lot of prayer.

Jackson, Miss. Mayor Tony Yarber

Does that surprise you? Is he sincere?

Probably no, and Probably yes.

'Boy, can these roads use a Miracle !'

In a recent post I quipped that with the Pope visiting the U.S., maybe his Holiness would perform a miracle and fix the Highway Trust Fund (since congress won't) and Michigan roads will get the benefit.

China Stock Market Crashes When Michigan Governor Snyder Visits

Michigan residents fear China market tumble will affect their own finances.

"Oh - This not good"

Last week around the 21st of August, governor Snyder left Michigan to visit China, and immediately after his arrival the China stock market crashed in spectacular fashion. How big was China’s stock market crash? It's been dubbed “Black Monday” - August 24th ending with Chinese equities down 8.5%, wiping out hundreds of billions of dollars in market capitalisation.

Was Snyder's visit and the Chinese market crash a coincidence? Probably. Well sure, of course. But it got me thinking. If governor Snyder

I Hope The Highway Trust Fund Bill in Washington Fails

Did you know that the Highway Trust Fund runs out of money on July 31st ? This will cause construction on transportation projects across the country to grind to a halt.

The Highway Trust Fund is a transportation fund in the United States which receives money from a federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel and related excise taxes. In part the Fund provides money to states which funds road construction and repair. It was established in 1956 to finance the United States Interstate Highway System and certain other roads.

Well I think I hope it does run out. That they do NOT pass it. But let me explain...

WASHINGTON -- The Senate inched forward Friday on a $45 billion, three-year bill to fund the nation's highways, bridges and roads -- one week before all funding runs out. Senators voted 51-26 on a procedural motion that puts the bill one step closer to final passage. - Jennifer Bendery White House and congressional reporter, The Huffington Post, 07/24/2015

Now what would Lansing lawmakers say if the Highway Bill failed in Washington D.C. and the funds it provides to Michigan stopped flowing to our road projects? Would they complain that the Reps in D.C. are 'not doing their job' by failing to get Michigan their share of federal money for roads ? Would they cry and complain like babies?

Well probably yes. At first. But then I think this might happen.

Our hired help in Lansing might stop to remind themselves that their job is, in part, to fulfill the requirements of the Michigan State Constitution. That hallowed document in part states that it is their sworn duty to 'keep Michigan roads in reasonable repair'. Then they might take note of a recent study that shows more than half of Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids' roads are in poor condition, even dangerous. This study was put together by the transportation research group TRIP. That makes Michigan roads, the roads they are responsible for, some of the worst in the nation!

And to move things along in Washington, they may draft a letter to Congress urging them to act appropriately and approve funding of the Highway Bill for future years, so Michigan can keep it's roads in safe and 'reasonable repair'. Just like the Michigan constitution requires.

They may come to understand and empathize with the struggle Michigan drivers have dealing with the repair costs associated with Michigan's crumbling roads. These costs affect motorists in Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids who pay over $800 in additional annual upkeep because of poor road conditions. Lansing drivers paying an extra $733 annual extra vehicle operating cost and Ann Arbor drivers forking out up to $571 in annual repair bills.

And at last our noble Michigan legislators might come to realize the hypocrisy of their own actions over the last several years, specifically their inaction to fund our own road repairs, and make the lofty decision to come together in a show of bi-partisanship and compromise and finally levy the needed taxes, make the budget changes and do whatever is necessary to finally make Michigan roads not the Worst In The Nation, but the most envied in the nation. An admirable goal for the state which is the cradle of the worlds greatest automobile industry.

Naaaww - Who am I kidding! I hope the Highway Trust Fund extension bill passes in congress and we get our needed federal road money. Because nothing will change in Lansing. Our Michigan lawmakers are useless and they have proved it. Under their leadership, or lack thereof, Michigan ranks second to last in state per-capita spending on roads and will continue in that ranking because Michigan legislators that are as lousy at their job as our roads.

And that's why I hope the Highway Trust Find bill passes.

Drive Careful,
Will

Don't forget to get your "Fix Our Roads" bumper sticker!

If you already have one then get another.Some of our state representatives are slow readers.

Road Kill News: Vol. II

Here are some of the topics I noticed being discussed and/or of interested to you if you are interested in fixing Michigan's roads. If you are not interested in fixing Michigan's roads, here is a link to the Comics Web Page :-)

Pothole not to blame for deadly New Hudson Crash - According to Oakland County Sheriff - Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press

Not so sure of the validity of this "investigation". You read it and see what you think.

Michigan's crummy roads cartoon gallery! - Mike Thompson, Detroit Free Press

Really Funny - Really Real.

Editorial: House plan falls short, but offers some hope. - The Detroit News

This plan has now passed with some changes. It was so popular and had so much support in the senate that a Tie Breaker had to be called in to get it off it's ass and out the door!

'Pure Michigan' on its third leader in less than a year after resignation - MLive web site

Not sure what "Pure Michigan" is doing lately for our roads. But if you ask around, a lot of people here and in most other states think of "Lousy Roads" when they think of "Pure Michigan"! I'd resign too.

Michigan roads, politicians and Independence Day - MLive web site

Just because it mentions lousy Michigan roads. And I left a comment on it.

Be Sure to Come Back Next Week for more...

Drive Careful,
Will

Michigan House Votes To Use Forced Labor To Fix Roads ?

If someone takes something from you without your permission what might you call that? Steeling?

If you were told you must work and someone else will get the money even though you do not wish it, how would you feel? Like you were forced?

Some 3/4 Million Michigan tax payers will be forced to fix the roads, whether they like it or not, by working more hours without actually receiving pay in their pockets for the work they do. And the majority of the Michigan house of representatives is all for it. What? Let me try to explain.

Here is what I have read:

"House Republicans voted this week to eliminate the earned income tax credit as part of a plan to spend more on road improvements. Senate Republicans may follow suit this summer." - Oakland Press

The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EIT) Democrats and others say, is the state credit which helps low-income people pay their bills and buy necessities. About 780,000 qualifying Michigan taxpayers received an average credit worth $140 last year. People who need this credit use the money not for luxuries, but for necessities, like food for their kids. Republicans want to use that money to fix our roads instead.

Fix The Roads - Are We There Yet?

Will this republican plan hurt people in Michigan?

For people earning minimum wage, that might amount to 2 or more days of work. Work which will now be paid, not to them, but to the state to 'Fix The Roads'!

If they do not wish to do that, some feel that may amount to Forced Labor. What do you think?
 
Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof thinks it is a small thing and supports it.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof tells The Associated Press he supports ending the tax credit and so does a majority of his caucus. He says it’s a small credit compared to a larger federal credit. - Oakland Press

And in addition, while republicans exist in office to a large extent off the mantra 'no new taxes' and 'lower all taxes', their vote to completely remove the Michigan EIT is in essence a raise in taxes for those that currently claim it.

Increase taxes on poor?
'Nothing is off the table' - Arlan Meekhof

Is this republican proposal impractical, ignorant or just plain mean spirited? My hope is it simply will not fly and a Real Plan to Fix Our Roads will be put forward by the legislature. However like the Bible says; 'hope is the expectation of things not beheld'. I hope but I just don't see it.

Thanks for taking a look at this, my opinion. Please tell me what you think.

Drive Careful,
Will

The All New Michigan Road Kill News

Here it is. It might be Dead. It might Stink.
Or it might be good for something. You decide for yourself.

I get my news in a lot of ways from a lot of places. Print, Internet, Friends and People I Meet.

When it comes to news about the roads I pretty much pick up everything I can. I am very concerned about the condition of the roads in Michigan, that's one reason why I write this blog. The truth is most of the news about the roads in Michigan nowadays is worthless. Just repeated prattle from some congressman / lawmaker, or a journalist trying to fill some space .

A lot of the news about the roads includes some study about this or that, trying to prove some persons point of view one way or the other. I've seen studies and polls printed barely one day apart painting a complete opposite picture about the exact same subject.

And I l have heard politicians talk about infrastructure and our roads in Michigan, either completely uninformed on the subject, or being outright deceitful, just to look good in front of the reporters and their constituents.

Needless to say all that is time consuming and tiring. So I've decided to start more or less a regular post entitled "Roadkill News". Now there are jokes about things like the "Roadkill Cafe" or people picking up roadkill to bring it home for dinner. True story: I once told a co-worker about a dear that had been hit right across the street from my house. That evening he followed me home, asked me to help him put the deer in the back of his pickup truck, told me his butcher should be able to get good meat out of about half of the poor dead thing. It wasn't just a few days later he was offering me some deer jerky, you guessed it, from that road kill at the end of my driveway. I didn't eat it. With "Roadkill News", you don't have to eat it if you don't want to either.

"Roadkill News" is a lot like what it sounds like. Some of its Stinks, some of it might be good for something. So as a favor to you folks , whether you like it or not I'll put up as much of the news about the roads as I can find, kind of like just the headlines and a quick description. Stick it in the back of my pickup truck so to speak and drop it off here so you can sift through it in a hurry and decide which of it is any good and worth reading. Nothing fancy just headlines with links to the articles and web pages, and a few words. But don't worry, I'll still be getting into detail about the road news that really does mean something and needs to be talked about.



So here is some bits of news I've picked up on the roads, off the roads in the last couple of days.

Low-income tax credit eyed for road funding - Michigan Public Radio

By Rick Pluta • Jun 2, 2015

A state House panel considers elimination of the tax credit for working poor  families to help come up with more money for roads. That's right. Fix the roads by grabbing money out of the pocket of the working poor. Put those people to work. They don't have enough to do already.

Safe Roads Yes on Facebook.
Safe Roads Yes! Website

As of the 1st of June, the Safe Roads Yes! coalition continues to urge us to "Get out and vote YES on Proposal 1" - on Facebook and the Safe Roads Yes! web site. REALLY!

 

Take the Free Press Pothole Challenge - By Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, March 9, 2015

The Detroit Free Press wants to see (and share) what you think is the worst pothole or stretch of potholes across Michigan. You can share your photos and videos on one of the Freep's social media channels. Just can't seem to make up my mind, so many potholes...so many potholes.

 

Highway Trust Fund Is 'Broke,' Ex-Transportation Secretary LaHood Says - STEVE INSKEEP, National Public Radio. May 19, 2015

The primary way that federal highway and transit programs are funded for state, local, and national projects across the country is running out of money for highways, bridges and mass transit. Not good for our Michigan roads, seeing we can't seem to raise any money for roads ourselves. Now our federal hand out just may go away.

Well that's about it for now. Stay tuned for more Road Kill News, where YOU decide if it's really worth the trouble. There is bound to be plenty more.


Drive Careful,
Will

Whats So Funny About Potholes ? Satire and Irony

What do you think is funny? Everybody has their opinion of what they think is funny. How about you?

I like both satire and irony. Both comedic forms require a certain amount of intellect and a large, rather robust sense of humor. Especially if the comedy is directed at you.

The above requirements certainly apply when you are directing your humor at others, more so if it is to make a point. If a person doesn't share your sense of what constitutes humor, so be it. That can actually be funny in itself. It's just that it would be nice if they did share your laugh.

Anyway, satire and irony can be very effective at making a point. That is why I use it - a lot. If people get it, congrats, you've made your point. If people don't get it, the people that do get it, get it even more.

Here are examples of one or the other lately in the news.

 

Mike Rowe, well known entertainer and spokesman, addressed those at the Mackinac Policy Conference last week. Irony? He's famous for his show "Dirty Jobs". And his latest gig is called SGDI, or "Somebody's Gotta Do It" on CNN. When talking about Lansing legislators, that's irony! Get it? Last year the Michigan legislators said in effect that fixing our roads was a 'Dirty Job' and instead dumped it on their constituents. When the people threw it back at them with the defeat of Proposal 1, the lawmakers got on Mike Rowe's new show so to speak, saying 'Somebody's Gotta Do It', and are now grudgingly taking up the task again. If you think all that is funny then you get the point. If you don't then the rest of us get the point even more. See where I'm going?

In my last blog post - Mackinac Policy Conference Begins - Will There Be Potholes? - I compared those at the the 2015 Mackinac Policy Conference, some may have thought just the Republicans, as people whose view of taxes is of as a steaming pile of horse manure on the streets Mackinac Island to be avoided at all "costs". Certainly no one would want to step in that. The comment and the cartoon in the post, well that is satire. I hope people reading it have a sense of humor. If not, that is actually funny too.

Now here are two examples of satire and irony combined: A Beer and a flavor of Ice Cream:

Pothole Stout - Brewery Vivant

Here is a beer released for a limited time last year, and hope will be available again, which obviously was crafted and packaged to make a point.

Michigan Pot Hole Ice Cream - Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream

Either out of a sense of humor or sense of duty, the marketing director of the manufacturer, Dianna Tunison is quoted as saying "We first came up with the flavor and then talked about it as a team that we should donate 1 percent of our sales to the State of Michigan to help fix our pot holes," 

Now that is both funny and sad. Donating ice cream profits to pay for our lousy roads. Enough said. 

So, sometimes humor - satire and irony - are an effective and maybe only way to make a point. The down side is that these methods have to be used because reason and understanding are not working.

The condition of our terrible Michigan roads and infrastructure are sad. And so are our do-nothing Michigan legislators. Not much to say for the Governor either, when it comes to roads. So much for humor. Just sayin'.


Drive careful,
Will

Mackinac Policy Conference Begins - Will There Be Potholes?

UPDATE:

Well it's 2016 and another Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference - Woo Hoo !

"Expectations for real results in solid policy to benefit the state and its citizenry this year are slim. However the horses are thick on the island and so is the horse shit there, et al" --someone who know horse shit

So much for the Update.
____________________________________

Another work week begins now that the Memorial Day weekend of 2015 is over. Will the week bring a solution to our Michigan road problem?

To The Island !

Hitch up your horses, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference gets underway on Mackinac Island this week.

It happens every year at the Grand Hotel.

You can bet a major subject to be discussed will be the failure of Proposal 1 and where the Michigan legislature will go from here to get to a Real Road Funding Solution. And what irony, Mackinaw island!

Snyder and his business allies on this island trip will no doubt try to convince the Republican lawmakers in attendance that they can and should put more than a billion dollars into roads, and keep it flowing. But there are going to be a lot of issues to dodge and get around, like steaming piles on the Mackinaw streets, before there can be results.

On the one hand you have governor Snyder, very much wanting to put Billions of dollars into a permanent road funding program. Snyder says polls have shown the people are open to some sort of new tax or tax increase if it goes to roads.

Then you have his Republican lawmakers, wanting to at all cost avoid those steaming piles of taxes. All they can think about is their dainty anti-tax constituents getting the vapors and passing out at the slightest hint of a smelly tax, and then forgetting them on re-election day.

And of course there are the Democrats in Lansing. Like any good farmer, they don't mind stepping in a pile of taxes, so long as there is something left on their shoes for them to spread over their constituents. Democratic support in the legislature is needed because they will have to make up an expected  Republican lack of votes. But they will want something in return, just like last year! Yet they are not always so welcome at the island conference. Last year, in fact, Snyder’s Democratic opponent for governor wasn’t even invited to take part in the event.

Suffice it to say that the island conference will be looking to its historical darling Snyder for leadership (though his attractiveness has declined in the last few years). And the center-right businesses will have a say on road funding. They are still giggling over the  Michigan Business Tax toss, and the giant Tax Cut for businesses handed to them not long ago, all packaged up pretty with a big bright bow. And lately the states businesses have been tearing open those presents like greedy four year old's on Christmas morning (so much for budget surplus for roads). Better roads for better business, right?

Well, Mackinaw island is a lot about history. The way things used to be. No cars. No car noise. No cars torn up from potholes. Just like the good old days. Let's hope the result of this conference will Not be a return to the bad old days of no road funding. 

Michigan Road Funding Of The Past

 

Oh, by the way, to get into the conference:  $2,150 for Chamber members and $2,925 for Future members. So I suspect I wont be there. Anyway, it seems I've been kicked out of the Grand Hotel in the past (speaking of history), and they may notice me. I'll be in the LP probably driving my car into another pothole no doubt.

Drive Careful, Will

All We Are Saying Is Give Mayors A Chance

"As state leaders drive around Plan B for how to fix Michigan roads, they need to bring to the table those people residents trust most and are looking to for solutions: mayors." - The Detroit News, May 20,2015

So how about it? Do you trust the mayor of your city? Can mayors come up with solutions to fix our lousy Michigan roads? Do you even know who the mayor of your city is?

Well I just read an article in the Detroit News by William Wild, the mayor of Westland, Michigan. He makes the point that while he and other city mayors supported Proposal 1, with money earmarked specifically for local communities, one reason it failed was because Michigan mayors were not really involved. He stated that Proposal 1 "did not have local leaders helping to craft the proposal or engaging them before rolling out the plan."

While he is right about the fact that mayors were generally not involved in crafting Prop. 1, I live in a township. I am not sure it would have made any difference if my township supervisor or clerk would have asked me to vote for Prop. 1 or had told me that he/she wrote some of it. I still did not like it and I made that decision all by myself. Good for me.

In fact, according to my township web site, the township "does not maintain any roads in the Township. Issues regarding chloride, paving and snowplowing should be directed to the Road Commission of Oakland County". So much for anyone in my city/township government having much pull when it comes to fixing roads.

A U.S. Conference of Mayors/Zogby poll explains that while American trust in elected leaders has declined, mayors rank higher among the public than the president, their governor, Congress and their state legislature.

As to whether state mayors should now be a part of the elusive Plan B, well so far not even the governor or the state legislature seems to be a part of it. Or what they are coming up with so far amounts to pipe dreams; a Republican state lawmaker plan to use projected growth in the state budget to fix Michigan’s roads is downright laughable.

"...the legislature is saying 'our economy is doing great, and it will fix the roads all by itself. Just you watch'. Makes me think an alternate reality exists in Lansing where economist and lawmakers (one Kevin Cotter in particular) float high above the States crappy infrastructure and voters expect nothing more than the pleasantness of fantasy induced smoke being blown up their ... - Will Branning commenting on Michigan Radio article.

In the end, if you and I want better roads in our great state of Michigan, no matter what your reason, then you and I are the only ones who will make that happen. Contact the Governor. Contact your state Representative. Contact the news outlets. Tell them what you want. Better Michigan roads! It's their job. It's in the Michigan constitution. It's the right thing to do. Amen.

Oh, and to really make things happen, why not order your "Fix Our Roads" bumper sticker today? Place one on the ass end of your vehicle and show it to all the people who can make a difference with our roads. Proceeds may or may not be used in the campaign to make a difference. Anyway, they are cheap but of quality materials and cute to boot.

Get Your Bumper Sticker Today !

Just click the photo, or go to the tab at the top of the page. Thanks a Lot!


Detroit News article: 
Mayors should be part of Plan B conversation


Drive Careful,
Will

Where For Art Thou Safe Roads Yes ?

Now that prop 1 has crashed in flames, where is the Safe Roads Yes campaign? 

Have they continued in the fight to get us "safe roads" ? Safe to say, they have not.

During the months before May 1st, I must have received about twenty robo calls from them. Saw and heard about 50 commercials. Each of these attempts to frighten and coerce me with deceptive arguments and outright threats to vote "Yes", but they simply made me laugh. Now what about the refuse left behind from this utter political failure ?

Michigan News: Proposal 1 Passes

Michigan Proposal 1 Passes....into history.

 
Remember this famous headline? Maybe you saw it in a history book . Or maybe you remember it when it really happened. Okay, this is not how it really looked, ("Dewy Defeats Truman") but if you do remember it when it happened you could still be driving. Hopefully in Florida or somewhere where it's a little bit warmer and a little less bumpy.

So I just could not resist, although if I had the time I would have photo shopped Gov Snyders face in place of President Trumans. But the people who outspent the opponents to Prop. 1 by a reported 40 to 1 margin will probably be dreaming this headline until the ugly, expensive reality sets in tomorrow. Too bad they did not spend those millions fixing a road somewhere.

Well where does the defeat of Proposal 1, the "Road Funding" bill, leave us now? Let's face it. Another two years or more before we see results to any real legislation to fix our roads. Don't get me wrong, the bill just had to die. It was lousy with extras, ambiguity and in my opinion outright deceit. But now we must all take on a very important task. That of forcing our Michigan lawmakers to come up with a genuine plan to FIX AND MAINTAIN our roads!

Guess that's all for now. It's getting late and I'm going to sleep and dream of a place where it's a bit warmer and a little less bumpy. My bed. Night all.

 
Drive Careful,
Will

Vote No On Proposal 1 - It Will Cost You Less

Know What Proposal 1 Will Really Cost? 

 

Do you hate driving on our lousy Michigan roads? What's more, do you hate having to pay big repair bills caused by our lousy Michigan roads?

I do. Last year I spent hundreds of dollars on each of two vehicles to repair damage directly caused by hitting potholes on my local roads. Passing Prop. 1 is supposed to stop that cost with smooth roads all over the state. Really?

In fact, a well researched report cited by The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) states that Michigan drivers pay an annual average of $357.00 in bad-road-related repairs. 

Now an AP report has come out saying that the average cost to taxpayers in Michigan if Proposal 1 is approved can be as high as $545.00 per household next year.

If voters approve a measure on Michigan's May 5 ballot to improve roads and bridges, the $2.1 billion tax hike would average $545 per household in 2016 — or $45 a month — according to calculations by The Associated Press.

The number is an average of course, however it is one that can not be ignored. There is going to be a cost to fix our roads. Just seems the lawmakers we hired do not want to be the ones to do it, raise the money themselves. Not good on their resume when they to go be re-elected.

And related to whats real and what's not, A new 60-second ad supporting the Proposal 1 road funding plan has several exaggerated claims, according to a Detroit Free Press analysis.

A proposal to raise the state sales tax and dole out the money where ever is not a solution to the problem we are talking about. Lousy Michigan roads. What is needed is a well thought out solution. Not one thrown together hours before the end of a fruitless legislative session on the important subject. I am still frustrated that there is no REAL talk about a "Plan B". A road plan, not a money grab.

So before you vote on Proposal 1 on May 5th, make sure you get all the facts. I have and I know how I will vote, you know :~) ?

More in a bit. The voluptuous lady has not sung yet.

Drive Careful,
Will

What Will May 5th Mean For Us In Michigan ?

Will Proposal 1 spell the end of the World?

Do you believe in fate? Even if I did, I would not know how to translate this. One of those things that could mean one thing or another.

World Ending? Or Another Session In Lansing?

I recently found out that the lease I have on this website name, "www.potholeparadise.com" ends on, you guessed it, May 5th.

Of course I have made sure to renew it for a few more years, but that is a funny and interesting fact. When I got it, I certainly had no idea that a lame duck legislature would pass the buck of fixing our roads to the people they work for, especially in a complicated proposal with all sorts of special interest goodies added on and for nothing less than a permanent sales tax increase! All to be voted on May 5th.

So then, is May 5th the last day anything needs to be said about fixing Michigan roads? Will all things be as they should be as we drive around our beautiful state, and we'll never have to worry about the issue again? All after May 5th?

Let's face it. There is no Santy Clause, Easter Bunny or Man in the Moon. Get it?

Now it seems that polls are showing that the proposal is doomed. All the while people like Roger Martin with the Safe Roads Yes campaign says, “We’ve never had a May, off-year, single-ballot-issue election ever in the history of Michigan,” and so “For that reason and other reasons, we put absolutely no stock in any of the polls taken so far.”

Yeah, OK. Polls don't mean a thing. Not even several. One after the other. Still it seems like a "Plan B" would be in order about now.

And that is another thing. Even when the proposal was first approved to the dismay of so many, no "Plan B" was discussed. As if the lawmakers just laid the egg and then stuck their heads in a hole. I think that was and is a bad decision.

But some are talking about a Plan B, especially with the probability of defeat of Prop. 1. One web article I read discussed some options: There is no Plan B? Here are four viable options…

Get this. That article is on a web site called 'SayNoToHigherTaxes.org' . Talk about a great web site name. What with all the tax issues in all the states in the U.S.A., and they got that name!? And, it seems to deal mainly with the Michigan Road Issue. They better check and make sure That name doesn't run out on May 5th !! That's all I can say.

Anyway, there is certainly more to come on this subject which we all face every day we drive. How to Fix Our Roads in Michigan. May 5th will not fix anything.

And - don't forget to get your FIX OUR ROADS bumper sticker. I'm sure they will still be good and meaningful after the 5th :~)

Drive Careful,
Will

The More I Know, The More I'll Vote No

It's Not Just A Road Repair Bill

How much do you know about the Michigan May 5 ballot proposal to raise the Michigan sales tax from 6% to 7% ?

If you know as much as I do, than the people that want it passed are probably afraid of you.

That's because in a recent poll commissioned by the political news service MIRS, it stated. “Fifty-five percent of voters say if today the election was held they would vote ‘no’ against it,” said Ed Sarpolus with Target Insyght. And what's more, “When we actually read the ballot language, how it will appear on the ballot, the support drops from 55 percent to 65 percent ‘no,'” Sarpolus said.

For example did you know that the money raised by the increased sales tax will not all go to to future road repairs?:

• The package, as intended, is projected to pay down $865 million in debt in fiscal year 2016 while increasing funding for state and local road agencies by $368 million.
• In fiscal year 2017, $467.5 million would be used for debt payments while $764 million would go to roads.

Not until 2018 will the full intended amount go to new roads and ongoing road repairs.

Quick - Get Me The Number To 911 !

Only In Michigan Is A Pothole A Crime

Is it entropy, karma or something else? Just a few days ago Sam Simon, co-creator of 'The Simpsons' died. Then I heard a TV report saying that, when it comes to potholes, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel wants drivers in his county to report them to 911. That made me think of a great Simpsons scene where Homer, in an emergency holler's "Quick - get me the number to 911 !". Typical Homer.

So what's the deal? I thought 911 was only for emergencys. Well Hackel did say, "If it's one (a pothole) that just blew somebody's tire out ... it's going to blow out somebody else's,". A real emergency in his eyes I guess.

Once a report about a dangerous or damaging pothole is made to 911, Macomb County's Department of Roads would assess and address the issue within an hour, Hackel pledged.

Still, what about the reason for the 911 service? Can't we get in trouble if we use it for reporting a pothole? Here's what the Michigan State Police had to say late Thursday. They sent out an alert which reads in part,

"Please, do not direct the public to tie up 911 lines to report potholes, period. Whether Macomb wants you to or not."

Didn't matter to Hackel. He stands behind his instructions to Macomb county drivers. But is he willing to stand behind bars? According to one source:

The number is intended for use in emergency circumstances only, and to use it for any other purpose ( such as prank calls ) can be a crime in over 98 percent of locations in the United States.

Is A Pothole A Crime?

What I am certain of is this; I consider it a crime that a duly hired Michigan Ledgislature did not and will not do the job they were hired and paid to do. That is, budget funds to provide safe - driveable roads for citizens. But don't call 911 to report that !
 

Reminder: Still no Plan B. Get a Bumper Sticker.

• (For a "Fix Our Roads" bumper sticker, go to the top of the page and click on the "Bumper Sticker" tab.)

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