LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) -- Governor Rick Snyder wants to raise over a billion dollars a year to repair the state's roads and bridges, but already he is running into some roadblocks.
Senator Jack Brandenburg remains to be convinced.
"Yes. I think that's a good assessment," he says. "I'm going to keep an open mind."
Snyder is getting lots of open minds, but not a lot of yes votes.
The governor's $1.5 billion a year plan for repairing the roads and fixing other infrastructure projects will be a hard sell. Many Republicans have signed the so-called "no tax pledge", and even though the governor calls this a fee increase, to those lawmakers it's still a tax hike.
Not even the Senate Republican leader is in sync with his governor. Sure, they agree that something must be done, but the fee hikes, rejigging of the gas tax, well, Mr. Richardville is not there yet.
The governor has embraced a two pronged strategy. Lawmakers would first vote before March 7 for his program, but then they would also vote to place on the May ballot a two cent sales tax increase. If the voters approve that, then the governor's fee hikes would not take effect.
But the Senate Republican leader won't sign off on that, either.
"I'm not going to hurry it through so that we can have an arbitrary date. I want to make sure when we do this, we do it right," says Richardville.
"I'm not committed to anything regarding this package of bills so far or transportation funding in general," he adds.
To complicate matters, the governor will need Democratic votes to pass his plan, which means he may have to do some horse trading.
"Lots of things come together when you're trying to move something forward, and you need friends on both sides," says Senator Rebekah Warren.
Even the governor knows without Democrats, there are not enough Republican votes to raise revenue for the roads.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:13:17 GMT
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-07 12:21:59 GMT
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:02 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:02:40 GMT
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
