LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan won't be spending $400 million in general funds to boost its roads and bridges after Gov. Whitmer vetoed $375 million from the state budget Sept. 30.

Under a budget bill approved on party-line votes Sept. 24, majority Republican lawmakers lauded the record funding level and Democrats criticized it as inadequate.

The transportation budget and 14 other spending bills total $44.7 billion in proposed funding. The next budget year begins Oct. 1.

"If signed into law, Michigan would [have spent] more in the coming fiscal year on roads than at any other time in our state's history," said Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, citing a net $373 million, or 7.4 percent, boost. "And we'd be doing it without a 45-cent gas tax increase."

The linchpin of Whitmer's budget proposal was a 45-cents-a-gallon fuel tax hike, which is dead. It would have generated $1.9 billion more for roads than is called for under current law.

She and legislators tabled long-term road-funding talks to focus on the budget, then also hit an impasse on short-term road spending during budget negotiations.

Democrats opposed using $400 million in general funds — a routine practice in recent years, but one they said is a Band-Aid approach that effectively hurts other spending, including on education.

Michigan ranks second to last nationally in per-capita road spending. Whitmer has warned that without a major investment, the number of roads in poor condition will double, from 22 percent to 44 percent, in the next five years.

Today's top stories

Construction Market Boosts Economy

Bobcat Company Donates $885,000 in Equipment to Support Salvation Army's Disaster Relief Efforts

VIDEO: KEMROC Expands; Plans to Increase Nationwide Presence

'Machinery Pete' Interviews Jack Lyon On RFD TV

One Lane Reopened in Each Direction On I-26 Bridge in Tenn. Following Hurricane Damage

FleetWatcher Tames 'Data Overload' to Better Manage Construction Equipment

VIDEO: $4.7B Gordie Howe International Bridge Project Nears Completion

Volvo CE Upgrades Straight Boom Demolition Excavators