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)

Bar hoppers could soon be taking another hit, this time to the wallet. A new effort could be underway to allow local communities to start charging bar patrons in Michigan a per-glass tax on liquor. A bill to allow a liquor-by-the-glass tax is before the state House Tax Policy committee this week. The measure would allow a move to put the tax question on the local ballot to have a tax of up to 50 cents per glass. It would presumably be used to help local communities raise more revenue for local government.