So, you aren’t happy with our roads?  Neither am I.  I am sure that when we need to buy a new rim for our car because of that last pothole we hit, we are all angry.

Well, I am angry that those of us who must register our car are being discriminated against.  You ask how?  Those who don’t have cars still take advantage of our roads.

They take advantage of police, fire, ambulance, school buses, delivery services and municipal snow plowing etc.

And if you have a hybrid, your registration fee is more, isn’t it?  The proposal to change the sales tax to me doesn’t discriminate. In fact, it would help take in money from tourists.

Well, if our roads are not good why would they come here anyway?   Who now holds the feet to the fire of the companies that put in roads that don’t last for more than three to four years?

This proposal would do just that.

If the road deteriorates the taxpayers wouldn’t have to pay for it again, the builder would.  Some say that the poor would be hurt by this change.  Not so, because the earned income credit would go to 20 percent, more than it is now.

Municipalities (that is you) would benefit with more money coming to them.  Berrien County has plans to take more roads back to unpaved.  Is that your road?  This proposal specifies that none of this money can be put into the general fund for other uses.

Your schools will also benefit from this change.

Compromise happened last December when the state house and senate worked together to get something done about our poor roads.  What a concept!

Some politicians who are up for re-election are not supporting this measure. Could it be that they can then say that “well, I didn’t vote for that, the people made the change.”  Get real. Those who vote for you also use these lousy roads and your record is public.  We know who you are.

There is no plan B except that we will all need to get a mule and a wagon.  If that happens, the items that are shipped in by truck will go up in price as will the services we use.  It could take longer for that fire truck or police car to get to you when you need it.

After much thought and asking for clarification about this proposal, I highly support the approval of this proposition, not just for myself, but my children and grandchildren and for every resident and tourist in Michigan.

And my car.

 

Janet Personette

Niles