February 27, 2013

According to IRS tax returns, the main lobby group in Michigan spearheading the Snyder road tax campaign received $906,619 in state and federal grants in 2011.

In addition, this group held $8 million in assets and has four employees who earn over $500,000 per year.

The Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA), a 501(c)(6) tax exempt lobby group based in Okemos, has a  26-member board of directors. These people are primarily presidents, CEOs and owners of private, for-profit construction firms.

Serious concerns over lobby group
Many people have serious concerns over MITA, which is using social media, radio and public meetings to urge Michigan residents to support the Fix MI Roads initiative.

This proposed new tax plan proposes a combined 134% in tax and fee increases on gasoline, licensing fees and vehicle registrations.

This frustrates members of the Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) as the Snyder Administration refuses “to acknowledge any other routes of addressing infrastructure concerns of state roads beyond raising taxes on Michigan residents and motorists,” according to an LPM press release.

In addition, the party believes that the political action committee is “using our worst fears against us—the safety of our children.”

“How much longer does this charade have to continue?” asked LPM Chair Denee Rockman-Moon. “It’s time for Lansing and their lobbyist friends to answer some very serious questions.”

Rockman-Moon said that the group is using pointed to potential privatization options, and stated that the state needs to review proper use of monies already available.

The MITA is using typical scare tactics to promote raising taxes and fees to fix Michigan roads.

In addition, taxpayers should be informed that the roads outlined in the plan are state roads, and not municipally controlled such as side streets and residential roads.

“The public has the right to know the true nature of plan and to question the motives of its backers,” said Rockman-Moon.

“While the Snyder tax-increase cheerleaders are holding $80,000 golf outings and receiving almost a million dollars in government grants, they look to struggling Michigan taxpayers straight in the eye and say, ‘We’re sorry, there’s no other way but to raise your taxes and fees,” she said.

“This no longer passes the smell test. Taxpayers should be disgusted. This nonsense in Lansing has to stop.

“The LPM has taken a stand, and it is with the taxpayers of the state.”

By: Donna Gundle-Krieg