Poll shows Michiganders favor spending all of the gas tax revenue to improve infrastructure
MICHIGAN (WJRT) - Michigan collects more than $1 billion in sales tax paid at the gas pump.
According to a new EPIC MRA poll, Michiganders overwhelmingly support spending all of the tax collected on improving the state's roads and bridges.
The poll was commissioned by the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. It was conducted by EPIC MRA, and they spoke with 600 active and likely voters.
According to the poll, Michigan is only one of six states that charge sales tax on gas. That tax is 6%, which generates around $1.1 billion annually.
Less than 5% of that goes to repair Michigan's roads and bridges.
According to data from EPIC MRA, the tax revenue is put into a variety of pots: $50 million for roads and bridges and just under $800 million for the school aid fund, more than $100 million for local revenue sharing and about $130 million into the state general fund.
EPIC MRA polled 600 voters state-wide and asked them if all of the money collected from the gas tax should go to funding improvements to Michigan's roads and bridges.
The majority, 82%, said yes. That all $1.1 billion should go to infrastructure.
13% said no, and 5% were undecided.
Respondents were also asked if they would favor legislation requiring all of the tax collected on gas to be used for roads and bridges.
66% of them said yes, they favor the legislation, 25% said they oppose it, and 9% were undecided.
The poll was conducted from Feb. 13-18. It has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
