In its effort to convince lawmakers to hike road taxes, Michigan's transportation advocates have used billboards, the delivery of gravel-filled containers to legislative offices and now, a Web ad http://www.youtube.com/user/FixMIRoads you are not likely to see added to the "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign.

"Our Great Lakes, lush forests and sandy beaches may be a tourist's dream, but when the road to get there is a transportation wasteland, it's hard to enjoy everything Michigan has to offer," said Mike Nystrom, vice president of government and public relations for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA). "After experiencing the "bounce-effect" of Michigan's crumbling roads, tourists may think twice about coming back to Michigan."

The Michigan Department of Transportation has put together a proposal that would over the next five or six years effectively hike the gas tax from 19 cents a gallon to 34 cents and double vehicle registration fees. It would generate about $1.8 billion annually when fully phased in. An advisory panel said last year $3 billion is needed simply to keep Michigan roads in good condition over the next decade.

Lawmakers, however, appear in no mood to raise taxes. Instead, the Senate last week approved a resolution that asks the federal government to waive the requirement that Michigan put up 20 cents in matching revenue for every 80 cents it receives from Washington. Under current match requirements, declining state tax collections means Michigan will likely lose out on some $600 million in federal highway aid that instead will be be sent to other states.

Michigan receives 92 cents in federal aid for every $1 it contributes in gas tax. Wipe out that federal funding and Michigan will really become a donor state, effectively paying 18.5 cents in per-gallon federal tax at the pump to finance road construction in Indiana, Ohio and other states.

MDOT officials say that loss of revenue would result in the cancellation of 137 scheduled road projects across Michigan. In August, the department is expected to announce the cancellation of still more.