House Speaker Kevin Cotter
Funding roads isn't going to be easy.
Business groups and the tourism industry are voicing strong opposition to a plan to a plan from House Speaker Kevin Cotter to help fix roads skimming money from the state's "Pure Michigan" advertising budget and tens of millions in economic development funds to fill potholes.
Chad Livengood of The Detroit News reports:
Business groups plan to step up their lobbying against this part of Cotter's road funding plan next week — starting Tuesday during a House committee hearing and continuing Wednesday when lawmakers arrive on Mackinac Island for the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual policy conference.
Cotter's $1.05 billion road funding plan relies on redirecting $75 million from a fund that pays for the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, and $60 million in revenue the state receives from tribal casinos that typically goes to support job creation.
