Great Lakes Wire

Senator Aric Nesbitt of Michigan announced that Republicans have devised a plan to repair roads without resorting to tax increases, urging Democrats to take action rather than delay. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Folks in Michigan are done with the excuses," said Aric Young Nesbitt, State Senator for Michigan. "House Republicans have a plan to fix the roads WITHOUT raising taxes. If Senate Dems care about helping people make it in Michigan instead of playing games we can get the job could be DONE."

In 2024, Michigan lawmakers found themselves at odds over road funding as Governor Gretchen Whitmer advocated for a long-term solution to prevent what she described as an impending "road funding cliff." According to Bridge Michigan, disagreements between the governor and legislative leaders focused on revenue sources, balancing trunkline repairs with local road needs, and the overall scale of investment. These disputes slowed budget discussions and heightened public concern over deteriorating infrastructure.

The fiscal year 2024-25 transportation budget for Michigan allocated $123.4 million for trunkline road and bridge construction, $64.8 million for county road commissions under Public Act 51, and $36.9 million for transit capital improvements. Other line items such as highway maintenance and local federal-aid roads also received increased funding. These allocations were outlined in the Michigan Senate’s fiscal analysis of Senate Bill 761.

Michigan's road quality ranks poorly compared to other Midwestern states. The Transportation Asset Management Council reported that 67% of lane miles are in "good" or "fair" condition, while 33% are in "poor" condition. A report by the Citizens Research Council ranked Michigan 40th nationally in terms of road quality, ahead of only Illinois among peer states, underscoring the extent of necessary repairs.

Nesbitt serves as the Michigan Senate Minority Leader and represents the 20th District, which includes parts of Van Buren, Allegan, Berrien, and Kent counties. He has previously served as Senate President Pro Tempore and as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. His priorities include fiscal discipline, regulatory reform, infrastructure improvement, and local control.