Michigan Plans $100M More for Plowing, Potholes

Michigan lawmakers are considering a mid-year budget bill that would give extra money to state and local governments grappling with higher snowplowing costs.

The Senate Appropriations Committee amended the legislation Tuesday to spend $100 million more on road maintenance.

Legislators in the current budget put an additional $230 million into a fund for roads or other “risks.” They announced half would fund 103 transportation projects across Michigan.

Now lawmakers are looking to use all but $15 million of the balance to account for heavier-than-normal salting and snow removal along roads. Another $2 million would go to municipalities for tree debris removal after the December ice storm.

The panel is expected to approve the bill Thursday. It also accounts for less in savings than expected after Republicans delayed expansion of Medicaid.