(WXYZ) — Governor Whitmer ran for office promising to "Fix the Damn Roads." But now, she and lawmakers are standing off, unable to come to a deal to increase funding.
Whitmer previously called for a 45-cent gas tax to fix the roads. When she signed a budget more than two months ago, she vetoed the Republicans' counter plan to reallocate $338 million in the budget to transportation.
She said it didn't provide other funding and put other services at risk. To pressure Republicans to return to the table and approve a tax increase for roads, she vetoed other spending.
So far, the standoff continues.
Drivers are just as divided as the governor and the Legislature.
Dennis Kolar, the managing director of the Road Commission for Oakland County, is calling on state leaders to meet at the table.
"There have been lots of studies that the need is about $3 billion statewide," Kolar said.
He says right now, they can carry out day-to-day operations, but without increased funding, state road commissions cannot keep roads from deteriorating in the long run.
Road commissions around the state say they will take a road funding package gift not just for the holidays, but any time of the year.
