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Shift In Debate About How To Raise Roads Revenue

LANSING (WWJ) - The leader of the Michigan Senate has tabled Gov. Rick Snyder's proposal to raise money to fix the state's roads. GOP Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said he's rejecting the governor's plan to hike the gas tax by 14 cents and vehicle registration fees by up to 60 percent.

"To put that on the backs of gasoline pumps and the drivers that have to fill their cars with gasoline I think would be a mistake," Richardville told WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.

"I also don't like the idea of registration fees being increased every year ... We think there are better ways to look at this," he said.

Snyder's plan would mean an extra 1.2 billion dollars for the state's roads, but the governor said he's open to other ideas.

Skubick said, instead, some lawmakers are considering a proposal to raise vehicle registration fees for hybrid and electric cars at a higher rate than fees for gas-powered vehicles.

The senate has not yet proposed an alternative, but Richardville said they're working on that now.

Earlier Thursday, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said she is also opposed to raising the registration fee.

MORE: Michigan Road Bills Would Raise Gas Tax, Vehicle Fee

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