KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — A Kalamazoo industrial economist says he doesn’t like elements of the Republican-passed roads plan that awaits Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature.
Brian Long doesn’t like the fact that the plan won’t take full effect until 2021.
“It’s too far down the road,” Long said.
He also said diesel prices will rise as a result of the legislation, which may cause businesses to pack up and leave.
“It’s basically the diesel vehicles that tear up the roads,” Long said. “But, once again, companies decide to come to Michigan because of the total cost of doing business.
Long also wasn’t a plan of Snyder’s idea to sell bonds to fund road construction next year. He said it would be a mistake, considering the state is still paying for bonds borrowed by former governor John Engler over a decade ago.
“Holy catch! What was he thinking? That’s part of the $1.2 billion he was talking about,” Long said.
But Long also disagrees with criticism from Democrats that corporate income taxes should have been raised to help fund construction.
– John McNeill
