UPDATE: Snyder makes statement about road funding bills

UPDATE — 8:00 a.m. November 4th, 2015 (EST)

Governor Rick Snyder has released a statement in support of the road funding plan passed by the Michigan Legislature Tuesday night.

Snyder called the plan “the largest investment in Michigan roads and bridges in more than half a century,” while commending his partners in the Legislature for “their resolve and their willingness to compromise.” He also stated that the plan would help public transportation and the economy.

The bills that comprise the plan now await the governor’s signature to make them law. In a press conference late Tuesday night, Snyder said that as soon as the bills are prepared, he looks forward to signing them.

For Governor Snyder’s complete statement, click here.

LANSING — Vehicle registration fees and the gas tax in the state of Michigan are both going up.

The Michigan Senate and House both passed narrow votes today to increase the taxes and fees. The gas tax will increase from 19 cents to 26.3 cents a gallon, and vehicle registration fees will increase by 20 percent beginning in 2017.

The two bills that were passed are part of a $1.2 billion plan by the state lawmakers to increase funding for Michigan’s roads by 2021.

“The increases in the gas tax and registration fees are going to hit my constituents hardest,” said State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet). “Seniors living on fixed incomes will have a hard time paying more to get their registration and license plates renewed. U.P. residents drive farther to work and school, so an increase in the gas tax is going to hit them harder.”

“I truly believe this is the way to go for Michigan families and others who use our state roads,” said Pettalia, R-Presque Isle. “We’ve had 20 years of neglect and underfunding for our road system as the state has had to cut spending and find efficiencies across the board. Costs for everything have increased so pretending that all the money can come from existing state revenue is just unrealistic. People want safe roads and bridges, and that is a priority for our state, so this package takes us in the right direction to get us there.”

We will have much more on this story tomorrow on ABC 10 News Now at 5:30 p.m.