(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and House Speaker Matt Hall came together on Monday in Macomb County as Whitmer signed a long-term road funding bill.
With the backdrop of construction workers, Whitmer spoke behind a podium that said "Fixing the damn roads. Saving our damn jobs."
Watch the full press conference in the video below
"This is something that took all of us to work together," Whitmer said. "Construction workers and labor, who advocated for it, who actually do the work of fixing our damn roads. Leader Brings, Speaker Matt Hall, legislators on both sides of the aisle."
"You see what happens when you have leaders with the guts and the brains," Hall added in the press conference, saying that they eliminated waste, fraud and abuse and put it all toward roads.
The bill will redirect all taxes paid at the gas pump towards roads. Before, gas taxes largely went to a fund for schools.
Another part of the road funding includes a new 24% tax on marijuana, which was signed into law last week.
In all, the State of Michigan said the budget will include nearly $2 billion for improving state and local roads as it gets implemented over the next four years. It includes:
- $100 million to repair and replace local bridges
- $100 million for public transit, including new transformational projects and local bus operations
- $40 million for rail grade separation projects to improve safety and reduce traffic congestions
