Rep. Greimel offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 80.

            A resolution to urge the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate to hold legislative sessions weekly throughout the summer in order to approve a road funding proposal.

            Whereas, It is well known that Michigan's roads are in a general state of disrepair and are declining with each passing day. The state Transportation Asset Management Council reports that 38 percent of state trunklines, primary county roads, and major city streets were rated in poor condition last year, up from 11 percent in 2003. It is estimated that nearly half of rural and neighborhood roads are in poor condition as well, and the rate of deterioration is increasing. Funding shortages have led to neglect of our transportation infrastructure to the detriment of tourism, shipping, and commuting. A significant increase in funding is needed to upgrade and maintain all roads for the economic health of our state; and

            Whereas, The cost to bring roads up to fair or good condition increases year by year. While good or fair roads can be maintained with preventive measures, poor roads usually call for reconstruction, which is four or five times more expensive than preventive maintenance. For every dollar the state invests in maintaining our roads and bridges, preventing them from becoming poor roads, six dollars is saved in reconstruction costs; and

            Whereas, The Legislature developed a proposal to create a long-term funding solution for roads that would have raised more than $1.3 billion. However, Michigan voters resoundingly rejected this proposal by the largest margin of any Michigan ballot measure since the current state constitution was adopted in 1963; and

            Whereas, The rejection of the legislative ballot proposal was not a rejection of the dire need to fix our roads. A recent EPIC-MRA poll indicated that 81 percent of those polled want the Legislature to work on a proposal to fix the roads as soon as possible. It is clear that the Legislature must take action, and soon, to attend to the roads problem; and

Whereas, Legislators were elected to represent the best interests of Michigan citizens and to solve problems on their behalf. A full-time legislature should work full-time and not take eight weeks off for summer "vacation" when urgent problems demand well-thought-out solutions. There is no time to waste as our roads continue to deteriorate at a growing cost to the citizens of Michigan. We must start the wheels of government in motion in the direction of good roads; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate to hold legislative sessions weekly throughout the summer in order to approve a road funding proposal; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Majority Leader.