Snyder will use speech to call for passage of sales tax hike

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder plans to use his State of the State address to continue appealing to voters to approve an increase in Michigan's sales tax as part of a plan to boost spending on roads and bridges.

The Republican governor tells The Associated Press that Michigan has taken a "Band-Aid" approach on deteriorating roads for "far too long" and "it's a public safety issue."

A broad plan to spend $1.3 billion a year more to mend transportation infrastructure is contingent on voters boosting the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent in a May 5 statewide vote.

Snyder says Michigan residents spend $132 a year more on vehicle repairs than Indiana residents because of poor road conditions.

His speech is Tuesday night in the Legislature.