Members of the House of Representatives believe townships should have the ability to raise money for road improvements. House Bill 1189 passed 47-23 through the full House Wednesday afternoon. The proposed legislation allows the board of township supervisors to levy a property tax that will be put into a capital improvement fund to make repairs to roads and bridges. Representative Tona Rozum says many township roads are dangerous to travel on.
“Critical thing to realize is that roads and bridges are really in poor condition out in the country, and I know because I’ve had one legislator say to me, ‘I only drive on interstates and city roads, I really don’t see those roads so I have to rely on you to tell me about them.’ I’m here to tell you that they’re in a world of hurt. We have school buses going over these bridges and roads. These people want to be able to take care of themselves and do what they can,” Rozum says.
Rozum says road funding is already facing a deficit, and these possible taxes will only make up a portion of what’s still needed. Opponents of the bill say it’s just a tax increase. The legislation next travels to the Senate.