Monroe Review

State Rep. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, is critical of the new bond proposal by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“As if her failed 45-cent gas tax hike proposal last year wasn’t bad enough, the governor has now introduced a ‘Plan B,’ which the people of Michigan will be forced to pay,” Bellino said in a statement.

The new bond measure would raise $3.5 billion for road repair in the state. However, Bellino said that there are "other, more practical solutions to consider."

Michigan House Rep. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe) | Michigan House Republicans

“Michigan taxpayers are still paying down bonding debt created nearly two decades ago under previous administrations and will not finish paying it off until 2036,” Bellino said.

He said that his own legislation would allow for “local road agencies to prioritize fixing their worst roads first,” and that this would apply whether the road was a secondary road or a highway.

Bellino is chair of the House Energy Committee and is also a member of the Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Insurance committees. He was elected in 2016 and represents the 17th District.