State legislators update Southfield council: road funding a major, unresolved budget issue

State Senator Jeremy Moss and Representative Jason Hoskins briefed the Southfield City Council on March 20 about legislative developments in Lansing, with an extended discussion about road funding.

Senator Moss reviewed recent state legislation he said returned tax relief to residents, expanded earned-income tax credits and restored certain labor rights; he also cited new gun-safety and reproductive-rights protections enacted in the state. Representative Hoskins said the last term included economic development and housing investments, including a $50 million housing-community and development fund and targeted assistance to minority businesses.

Both lawmakers warned that the current House majority proposed a budget that could cut funding widely. "We don't have enough money to fix the roads ... it's going to cost about $4,000,000,000 each year in new revenue to create a road funding plan," Senator Moss said, and he criticized proposals that would rely on cuts alone. Representative Hoskins noted options under discussion including feasibility studies for tolling, shifting certain sales-tax revenue toward roads, and exploring revenue from internet gaming or advertising taxes.

The legislators also said they are working jointly with Southfield's delegation to secure specific road projects and neighborhood improvements that previously received state funding. Council members pressed the legislators about federal funding uncertainties and the local impacts if federal dollars shift or are delayed; the legislators said federal funds account for roughly 42% of the state's budget and that freezes or delays would have material local effects.

The council thanked the legislators and asked staff to supply budget requests as Lansing's process moves forward.