Lawmakers Looks At Using Casino Money For Fixing Roads

A Michigan House Committee is considering a move to take more than $130 million out of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help fund road repair.

Part of the proposal would call for taking money that came from Indian casinos.

The MEDC questions if doing that would be legal, noting the money is part of an agreement with a Native American tribe.

House Republican Lee Chatfield says spending money on roads is good for the state’s economy.

But MEDC director, Steve Arwood, says the cut would fully and negatively change what the corporation does, which is manage economic development programs.

The legislation is before a state House committee.