The Michigan Senate is poised to approve an increase in vehicle registration fees to fund state parks, even as lawmakers keep Michigan motorists waiting for an infusion of new investment to fix the state’s crumbling roads.

“While we are not opposed to state parks, for almost five years legislators have told us 'now is not a good time' to raise the vehicle registration fee to pay for road improvements," said Mike Nystrom, vice president of government and public relations for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) and co-chair of the Michigan Transportation Team. "This legislation would allow parks to receive millions of dollars from a revenue source that is constitutionally dedicated to transportation."

Public safety and the recovery of our state economy should be a top priority for lawmakers because Michigan’s infrastructure is so drastically underfunded.

“State elected officials have shirked their duty long enough," Nystrom said. "Legislative thinking couldn’t be more backward, since you can’t find a decent road to a state park in the first place."

Based on data provided by the Michigan Asset Management Council and released earlier this week by MITA:

• 20 counties have more than 40 percent of their roads in poor condition,
• 24 municipalities have 100 percent of their roads in poor condition,
• 543 municipalities have more than 40 percent of their roads in poor condition.

“This is no time for Michigan lawmakers to be abandoning Michigan motorists,” Nystrom said. "It is time to fix Michigan's roads."

MITA represents a broad spectrum of heavy construction companies and suppliers that help build a better Michigan infrastructure from the bottom up. It is a leading voice for securing adequate transportation funding at the federal and state levels. For more information, visit www.mi-ita.com.

Michigan residents can voice their concerns about road funding by calling a toll-free number, 888-719-3087. Callers simply enter their five-digit ZIP code to be connected, at no cost to them, with their legislative offices.