The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has determined that there is a need for additional highway funding in Michigan. In late January the Chamber said it would back fuel tax increases on gasoline and diesel to help address that need. The Chamber said that “transportation is a critically important economic development and infrastructure issue.” In order to resolve unmet needs the Chamber specifically called for a series of reforms, and a phased in 9 cent per gallon increase in the gas tax and a 13 cent per gallon increase in the diesel tax. These changes would generate $580 million per year, with the increases sunsetted in seven to 10 years. The Chamber also endorsed providing an option for county governments to impose county wide registration fees that would potentially generate several hundred million more dollars.[57] Other recommendations included providing for automated toll lanes in some urban areas.
