The following editorial was published in the Oakland Press.

Michigan roads are deteriorating - rapidly. It doesn't take a highway engineer to see that. In fact, drive a few miles anywhere in the state or just in the metro area, and you'll see - and feel - the problem.

Unfortunately, it appears the situation won't improve without some drastic action: a tax increase.

We have not been, and still aren't, for wholesale tax increases to solve all of the state's financial problems, especially because of Michigan's depressed economy.

But a proposal from the Drive MI campaign merits consideration - particularly because of the escalating road dilemma.

Drive MI wants to raise gas taxes by 9 cents over three years, increase diesel fuel taxes and hike vehicle registration fees by 50 percent. The campaign estimates that would generate $1 billion.

Behind the Drive MI campaign is the Michigan Transportation Team, a partnership of businesses, associations and residents with the goal of improving the state's transportation infrastructure.

The plan has support from the group Businesses for Better Roads, which represents business and transportation people from Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Kent, Monroe, St. Clair, Livingston and Washtenaw counties.

The proposal would boost the gasoline tax from 19 cents to 28 cents, and the diesel fuel tax from 15 cents to 28 cents. Vehicle registration fees vary by the value of the vehicle.

Looking at the road situation, we have to concede that there is a personal financial toll on Michigan drivers because of the poor roads.

Drive MI/the Michigan Transportation Team has estimated that driving on crumbling and congested roads costs each Michigan motorist an average of $318 annually in various car repairs.

The 9-cent-per-gallon tax increase seems feasible and probably would have a minimum effect on a driver's wallet. It would be phased in over three years and shouldn't be felt too severely by motorists because the price of gasoline continues to bounce around from $2 to $3 a gallon or, God forbid, even higher. Nine cents of that continually changing total really wouldn't be significant.

However, the proposal to boost vehicle registration fees by 50 percent needs further thought.

That increase is a significant amount and would be felt severely by the average motorist.

We suggest this portion of the plan be revised. Maybe a 25 percent boost should be sought instead of a 50 percent increase, or the registration should last for two years so that drivers feel they're getting something more for their money.

A bill reported out of the state Senate Transportation Committee would create a task force to find alternatives for road funding. It would require the governor to make appointments to the task force by Oct. 1, 2009. Maybe this group can find a compromise plan.

Michigan taxpayers today are gun-shy because of the faltering state economy of recent years. All we've heard from state officials is that "there isn't enough money, there isn't enough money, there isn't enough money. It's no wonder that after a while people just ignore the monotonous complaint.

If taxpayers are going to fork over more hard-earned money, they need to be sure they will get something for their cash - it's a feeling they haven't had in recent years.