Transportation funding could be set for drawn-out debate LANSING, MI (MPRN) -

Legislative leaders at the state Capitol say a discussion over how to generate more money to fix the state's aging bridges and roads could drag out all year. As Michigan Public Radio's Laura Weber reports, Governor Rick Snyder has called on lawmakers to approve a plan to raise more than $1 billion in additional revenue for transportation.

A package of bills in the Legislature includes proposals to raise vehicle registration fees, change the way gas is taxed at the pump, change the county road commission system, and create a regional transit authority in southeast Michigan.

State House Transportation Committee Chairman Paul Opsommer says he has already heard a lot of criticism from voters on pieces of the package. He says because the issues are varied and complicated, debates over transportation funding could last through the year - or longer.

"We'll have some things in place by the end of the year, but I would not say we'll have all the bills disposed of in some way," he says. "I think that's asking too much."

Supporters of additional transportation funding say an additional $1.4 billion is needed to just maintain the current condition of the state's roads.

© Copyright 2012, MPRN