Whitmer: 'No more waiting'; state to borrow $3.5B for roads

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan will borrow $3.5 billion to rebuild state highways and bridges over five years.

She called it a responsible way to start fixing deteriorating roads after the Republican-led Legislature rejected her proposed fuel tax hike. Throughout the speech, Whitmer was not afraid to swipe at the GOP lawmakers sitting beside her, and in front of her.

"For those of you who want to keep playing games, I'm going to press on without you. I'm going to use the power of my office to do what I said I was going to do," Whitmer said. "It's time to act. And it starts here. In this room."

The Democrat unveiled the bonding plan during her second annual State of the State speech on Wednesday, lasting just under 40 minutes. She said it will enable the state to do about twice as much construction on I-, U.S.- and M-numbered routes as it can now. Whitmer was quick to turn the heat up on lawmakers, telling Michiganders that they should call their Republican representatives and senators if their local roads aren't getting fixed, since her plan only focuses on state-managed lanes.

The five-year plan will be used toward 122 projects in Michigan. Thursday morning, the State Transportation Commission is expected to green-light the proposal as well as explain where the projects will be located.

Whitmer said the money will be used to reconstruct, rather than resurface, roads in high-traffic areas with the greatest need. The sharpest criticism from House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, was that taking out loans from the state, isn't an actual funding plan.

"What she’s focusing on is a financing tool. And if done right, can be responsible. But it’s not a funding proposal but it’s not a long-term proposal," Chatfield said. "Taking out loans and passing it on to our children. I can’t take it seriously."

Chatfield and other Republican lawmakers said they want to push forward with a plan they said was rejected by Whitmer in 2019; untangling the sales tax and fuel taxes paid at the pump to ensure every penny goes toward patching potholes. Currently, the funding formula sends some of the money collected from fuel goes elsewhere.

Whitmer acknowledged that a long-term road funding fix will come with bipartisanship efforts in Lansing, but said she wants people to know she's taking action now.

"When you see orange barrels on a state road: slow down, and know that it's this administration, fixing the damn roads," Whitmer said.

Beyond the roads, Whitmer talked about ensuring protections for pre-existing conditions for people to get health care are inscribed in law; something that's currently being fought through the U.S. Supreme Court as the Affordable Care Act gets challenged. Whitmer also called for finding ways to decrease the infant mortality rates in the state. Chatfield said he would look at pending legislation and did not say whether he supported the new ideas. The governor also announced plans to launch a task force dedicated to opioid-abuse diversion and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

"If you can't afford to fill a prescription, you could wind up in the ER, or worse," Whitmer said.

A new challenge is expected to be coming to state high schools, dubbed the Governor's FAFSA Challenge. Whitmer said students across the state left $100 million in federal money on the table last year to help them get to college. She wants them to understand how to get help and where to find it. The high schools with the highest competition rates in her new challenge will earn prizes and the top school will win $10,000.

"So parents and counselors, tell your students. Students, tell your friends. Filling out this form [FAFSA] is important for your future," Whitmer said. "Everyone deserves a path to post-secondary success."

Whitmer is expected to present her budget plans Thursday, Feb. 6 which will include details to fund her new proposals.

Local lawmakers are also sounding off on Governor Whitmer's State of the State address.

Lawmakers had mixed reactions to the governor's speech Wednesday night with some of them even calling her speech "snarky."

Others thought she hit on all the main issues like education, healthcare and the roads.

But when it came to the roads, some lawmakers are concerned about the possibility of using bonds to pay to fix them.

“When it comes to the roads, I think the bonding is a bad idea," said Republican Representative Jack O'Malley with the 101st District. "She mentioned the Lions in her speech and to be honest, the Lions have a better chance in the Super Bowl than this bonding and fixing roads."

“Right now she’s looking at a bonding issue and my worst fear is the saddle, my granddaughter, to pay for those debts in 20 years," said Republican Senator Curt VanderWall for the 35th District.

Fixing the roads wasn't the only topic on the minds of lawmakers.

“Another thing that stood out tonight was uh the mentioning of water," said Republican Representative Triston Cole with the 105th District. "You know erosion is a big deal for our shoreline counties so I’d like to see the department move much quicker when it comes to emergency stabilization permits for a lot of residents along the lakeshore.”

“I think she did a great job with laying out the problems that people talk about at their kitchen table," said Democratic Senator Curtis Hertal, Jr. with the 23rd District. "She talked about education. She talked about the roads and she talked about sending her kids to college.”

“It was a good speech. There was a lot of things that we have agreed on," said Republican Senator Wayne Schmidt with the 37th District. "We’re coming off of a tough budget from last year.”

Senator VanderWall also said he is happy the governor is talking about ways to reduce opioid deaths in the state.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield will respond for the GOP Thursday morning.