Many in Michigan’s business community favor increasing fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, saying crumbling roads make it difficult to do business, and attract new businesses and visitors to the state.
Business Watch
Covering the intersection of business and policy, and informing Michigan employers and workers on the long road back from coronavirus. Our Michigan Economic Dashboard shows key metrics that show how the state is performing.
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Why are Germany’s roads better? Or are they?
Michigan’s harsh winters and surrounding Great Lakes are difficult foes, even for roads built to German highway standards. But lessons abound
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Searchable database: How bad are YOUR roads?
In the last eight years, roads have taken a pounding, with Michigan spending the least in the nation on road work. Use our searchable database to find the current condition of roads in your community.
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Michigan roads now among nation’s worst
Michigan spends less per capita on roads and bridges than any other state in the nation, and it shows. Experts say the state needs even more than the $1.3 billion requested by Gov. Snyder to make long-term improvements. Legislative leaders aren’t convinced.
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Engler’s (political) road not taken
Gov. John Engler was urged by the business community to raise fuel taxes up to 12 cents a gallon to fix Michigan roads and bridges. He agreed to a 4-cent raise. It wasn’t enough over the long haul. Today, MDOT pays $240 million a year on a $2.5 billion debt to repair roads.
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Take me out to the (non-taxpayer financed) ball game
At a time when most professional sports stadiums tap public funds for stadiums, the West Michigan Whitecaps built and run a ballpark on private funds alone.
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Public shells out for Detroit sports stadiums
Taxpayers have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to help Detroit’s sports teams build stadiums over the decades. A look at some recent deals.
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No-fault reform would cut high rates, but beneficiaries fear losing quality of life
A recent Michigan court ruling leaves some brain-injured crash victims unable to afford the vans that get them out of the house. Lansing, meanwhile, is seeking even further restrictions on the state’s generous no-fault auto benefits, citing the high cost to drivers.
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At issue: Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance
Michigan unlimited no-fault auto insurance benefits may soon be rolled back. We weigh the savings of such a rollback against the consequences.
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Is Michigan in another auto bubble?
Growing inventories and modest sales forecasts raise questions about Gov. Snyder’s pledge to “double down” on auto industry and manufacturing investments.