By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
A state Senate panel approved a tax hike on diesel fuel Tuesday. The 4-cent-per-gallon increase would generate money to fix the state's roads and bridges.
Republican Majority Leader Mike Bishop says he knows the roads need work.
"I don't think anybody has ruled out the fact that we have to do something about roads in this state and about critical bridges," he says. "This is the core function of government - to keep people safe."
But Bishop does not support raising the gas tax in this economy. He says he's worried if lawmakers approve one tax hike they would have to consider other tax hikes, and he isn't prepared to do that.
Many business group leaders came out in support of a gas tax hike earlier this year.