Election results: Michigan voters decide 'No' on Proposal 1; other results

RESULTS OF OTHER ITEMS, SORTED BY COUNTY:

Lapeer  |  Lenawee  |  Livingston  |  Macomb
Monroe  |  Oakland  |  St. Clair  |  Washtenaw  |  Wayne

Results are still being tabulated but three examples illustrate the strong message sent by voters:

In Oakland County the proposal was defeated 77 percent to 22 percent 194,956 to 57,426 with 516 of 516 districts reporting.

In Macomb County, it was failing 87 percent to 12 percent with 289 of 336 districts reporting.

In Wayne County it was failing 81 percent to 18 percent (66,371 to 15,123) as of 11 p.m.

A 1-cent sales tax hike was the centerpiece of the ballot measure, which also would have raised more money for education, local governments, and public transit and fully restored a tax break for lower-income workers.

The constitutional amendment was placed on the ballot in December by the Republican-led Legislature and had backing from the GOP governor, Democrats and a broad coalition of business, labor and government groups.

But voters rejected the wide-ranging plan. It would have eliminated the sales tax on fuel so all taxes at the pump could go to transportation, restructured and doubled fuel taxes, and hiked vehicle registration fees to boost the state's $3.7 billion transportation budget to $5 billion, an increase of a third.

Snyder, who traveled the state to explain the plan and urge its passage, conceded that it was dead shortly after all polls closed - issuing a statement on the proposal's defeat:

"It's essential that making Michigan's infrastructure safer remains a top priority. While voters didn't support this particular proposal, we know they want action taken to maintain and improve our roads and bridges. "The ‘relentless' part of relentless positive action means that we start anew to find a comprehensive, long-term solution to this problem. Doing nothing isn't an option as the costs are too great. Michiganders need to be able to get behind the wheel and not worry about dodging potholes or seeing plywood to catch crumbling concrete under overpasses. 

"We appreciate that this bipartisan plan was supported by so many groups – business leaders and unions, public safety officials and local governments, teachers, and the list goes on. I plan to work with my partners in the Legislature on a solution that gives Michigan residents the safe roads they need and deserve and bolsters our growing economy."

FOX 2's Tim Skubick reports that the sales tax-road funding issue is not dead. 

Skubick says new polling data is out and shows that 85 percent want Gov. Snyder to call a special summer session of the legislature to call the lawmakers back to revisit this issue and fix the roads.

Also, 64 percent in the Epic/MRA poll say they would be willing to support a sales tax increase of 1-cent if it is earmarked just for the roads. 

Here's a look at the proposal as it appeared on your ballot:

PROPOSAL 15-1

A proposal to amend the State Constitution to increase the sales/use tax from 6% to 7% to replace and supplement reduced revenue to the School Aid Fund and local units of government caused by the elimination of the sales/use tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles operating on public roads, and to give effect to laws that provide additional money for roads and other transportation purposes by increasing the gas tax and vehicle registration fees.

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

-Eliminate sales / use taxes on gasoline / diesel fuel for vehicles on public roads.

-Increase portion of use tax dedicated to School Aid Fund (SAF).

-Expand use of SAF to community colleges and career / technical education, and prohibit use for 4-year colleges / universities.

-Give effect to laws, including those that: -Increase sales / use tax to 7%, as authorized by constitutional amendment.

-Increase gasoline / diesel fuel tax and adjust annually for inflation, increase vehicle registration fees, and dedicate revenue for roads and other transportation purposes.

-Expand competitive bidding and warranties for road projects.

-Increase earned income tax credit.

Should this proposal be adopted?


--The Associated Press contributed to this report.