JACKSON, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's plan to raise the gas tax has not gone over well with Republicans who control the Legislature.
She says a tax increase is not ideal, but it is necessary.
"It's not easy, I know that it is going to be hard for some people to pay," Whitmer said.
The governor says it's also hard for people to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix their cars after hitting potholes.
She says that, for too long, politicians have not been honest about the scope of the problem.
"Our infrastructure is at a $2.5 billion price tag now because our leaders have not been honest with us and have not forged real solutions," Whitmer said.
She says the deteriorating condition of the roads is going to hurt the economy more and more as time passes without a fix.
"The fact of the matter is that the price tag is $2.5 billion and we have to get to work now to keep families safe, to save money so that you are not spending it to repair your car. To make Michigan competitive and this is something that is getting worse by the day when we don't fix it right," she said.
Republican leaders have said the proposal is dead on arrival.
However, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, of Jackson County, admits there will have to be some new revenue to get the roads fixed.
FOX 47 will keep you updated on the budget talks at the Capitol and let you know when major decisions are made.
