A new poll shows that roughly 60-percent of Michigan voters oppose the idea of raising gas taxes and registration fees. According to the survey conducted by Epic MRA of Lansing, 58-percent of voters opposed the increases, while 36-percent were in favor of it. Officials say the money generated from the increases would go to fund road and bridge improvements. The poll was conducted January 21st through the 25th with a margin of error of plus or minus four-percentage points. (MRN)

More than a dozen bills have been introduced in the State Legislature that would raise over one billion dollars annually to maintain Michigan’s roads and bridges. The bills include repealing the 19-cent gas tax motorists pay at the pump, and shift to a 28.3-cent tax on the wholesale price of fuel raising $541 million. However, only the new revenue would be dedicated to Michigan’s roads and bridges. Another $500 million would come from raising annual vehicle registration fees an average of $60. (MRN)

Artprize is upping the ante in 2010. The contest is hardly a year old, and this year is adding four juried categories to its voting process, which is currently determined by a public vote. $449,000 will be shared by the top 10 artists, and a minimum of $5,000 will be awarded for each juried prize. If you’re an artist trying to make a run at the cash, registration ends at 5 p.m. next Thursday. Artprize takes place September 22 to October 10.

Registration for the art contest Artprize opens today. The experiment contest drew more than 1,200 artists from around the world, and awarded the largest art prize at a quarter million dollars. Artprize allows artists from around the world to register any type of art work at artprize.org. To exhibit, artists must secure space within Artprize venues in a three-square mile district of downtown Grand Rapids. Venues range from city parks to rooftops to museums to restaurants to the river. Each artist may only submit one entry. Artists do not need to be present during the Artprize competition.

In one week, U.S. Census forms will be mailed out to Michiganians. The questionnaires will have ten lines, and they're due back April 1. Lisa Fleury of the Regional Census Center explains the importance of filling out the questionnaire. For those who don't mail it in, census workers will start making visits to their home for in-person meetings. The workers have been trained in being professional and courteous, according to census officials.