(LANSING) - If you've ever hit a pothole when driving in Michigan and wondered where all the road money really goes, a new report sheds some light.
As Michigan lawmakers quietly hammered out a massive road funding deal, the companies that build those roads were pouring money into state politics. An analysis by Bridge Michigan shows road construction executives and industry groups sharply increased campaign donations while negotiations were underway on a plan that could send up to $2 billion a year into fixing Michigan's roads.
The timing stands out. Just weeks before the deal was finalized, more than $211,000 was donated in a single day to a political fund tied to House Speaker Matt Hall. Overall, donations from road construction interests more than doubled compared to recent years, even though fundraising usually slows down outside election seasons.
For drivers, this matters because the plan approved in October is the largest road funding increase in state history. About 60 percent of the new money will go to county and local roads -- the ones most people drive every day. Supporters say that's a win for crumbling neighborhood streets and long-neglected rural roads.
But critics say the surge in donations raises uncomfortable questions about influence and transparency. Many of the negotiations happened behind closed doors, making it impossible to know whether campaign cash shaped the final deal. Watchdogs warn that fundraising during active policy talks can erode public trust, especially when taxpayers are footing the bill.
State leaders defend the plan, saying the money is badly needed as federal infrastructure funds dry up and existing bonding programs expire. Road industry groups argue they're simply trying to protect future projects and jobs.
Even so, researchers with the Citizens Research Council say the deal pumps more money into the system without fixing deeper problems, like how road dollars are divided and managed. In other words, Michiganders may see more construction -- but not necessarily fewer headaches -- unless those structural issues are addressed.
For drivers dodging cones, detours, and potholes, the takeaway is simple: billions are coming, but how that money gets spent -- and who helped shape the deal -- is now part of the conversation.