Category Archives: Transportation, Transit

Conference Committee Votes Out Supplemental with Additional Road Funding

Posted on by

Just before noon today the conference committee, by a unanimous vote, supported SB 608. After much debate, the bill included $215 million in general fund dollars for roads. Of that $215 million, $100 million will be distributed through the Act 51 formula to local road agencies to be used on maintenance as a result of this years harsh winter. It requires that the $100 million in special winter road maintenance funds be used only for road maintenance, excluding administrative, overhead, and other indirect costs.  The remaining $115 million will be used for priority road projects identified by individual lawmakers and prioritized by the Legislature’s leadership. An amendment was adopted that states if the money for priority road projects is not obligated by July 1, 2014 the remaining balance would be distributed through the Act 51 formula.

It is possible that this could come up for a vote in the Senate and the House as early as today and receive the Governor’s signature before the end of the week.. The League is very appreciative of the efforts of the legislature to deliver additional road funding to our local communities during this time of need. The League would also like to thank our members who took the time to contact their legislator on this issue. Upon final passage of this legislation the League will make available a list with all of the communities across this state and what they will receive after that $100 million is put through the Act 51 formula.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Supplemental Budget Bill with Additional Road Funding Sent to Conference Committee

Posted on by

SB 608 which included additional $100 million to be spent on cost incurred during this years winter has been sent to Conference Committee. Legislators appointed to the committee form the Senate include Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), Vice Chair John Moolenaar (R-Midland), and Minority Vice Chair Glenn Anderson (D-Westland). The House has appointed Appropriation Chair Joe Haveman (R-Holland), Vice Chair Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) and Minority Vice Chair Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit).

There are some significant points of difference that need to be worked out but there is a general consensus that additional funds for roads will be included. Due to these differences and the time that if could take to work them out, the League continues to encourage you to contact your legislators and asked that the differences in this bill be quickly worked out and that additional funding for roads be sent to our communities as soon as possible.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

House Appopriations Committee Passes Budget Supplemental with Additional Road Funding

Posted on by

This afternoon the House Appropriation Committee by a mostly party-line 18-10 vote, with Representative Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) being the lone Republican to join all Democrats in opposition, sent SB 608 to the full House with an additional $100 million for road funding. The House version is different than the Senate version in a few key areas.

The Senate version did not use any general fund money, instead the $100 Million came from the $115 Million that was available in the Road and Risk Reserve Fund.  In the House version they are not using money from the Road and Risk Reserve Fund and instead are using general fund dollars. The amount general fund dollars for additional maintenance will be $100 Million and the $115 Million in the Road and Risk Reserve Fund will continue to be available for projects across this state as decided by the legislature.

SB 608 will most likely go to Conference Committee to work out the points of difference between the Senate version and the House version. It appears that both Chambers remain committed to delivering an additional $100 Million to our communities but are undecided as to where that money should come from. The League continues to support the efforts of the legislature to deliver additional funding to help local governments hit hard by this years winter. We encourage you to reach out to your legislators and ask them to vote yes on this legislation.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

$100 Million in Road Funding for Snow Removal and Potholes to Receive Hearing in the House

Posted on by

After the Senate successfully passed SB 608 last week that included $100 Million in additional funding for snow removal and potholes, the House Appropriations Committee with take the bill up for consideration this Wednesday at 9 a.m.

The League continues to support the this legislation but we still need your help as this bill comes before the House Appropriation Committee. Please continue to contact your legislators and ask them for their support on this legislation. You can use the League’s Action Center to contact your lawmakers and send them an email.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Senate Approves $100 Million for Snow Removal and Potholes

Posted on by

The Michigan Senate by a vote of 32-6 approved SB 608 that included $100 million to be distributed to the state, counties, and cities and villages, to help with budgets that have been hard hit by this winters extreme weather. The $100 million will be divvied up through the state’s normal road funding formula with $39.1 million to the state transportation budget, $39.1 million to counties and $21.8 million to municipalities.

The League is supportive of the actions taken today by the Senate but we still need your help. The bill will now moves on to the House so please continue to contact your legislators and ask them for their support on this legislation. You can use the League’s Action Center to contact your lawmakers and send them an email.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Senate Apporiations Committee Approves $100 Million for Snow Removal and Potholes

Posted on by

The Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee this morning (Feb. 20, 2014) voted out SB 608 that included $100 million to be distributed to the state, counties, and cities and villages, to help with budgets that have been hard hit by this winters extreme weather. The $100 million will be divvied up through the state’s normal road funding formula with $39.1 million to the state transportation budget, $39.1 million to counties and $21.8 million to municipalities.

The League is supportive of the actions taken today by the Senate Appropriations Committee but we still need your help. Please continue to contact your legislators and ask them for their continued support on this legislation. You can use the League’s Action Center to contact your lawmakers and send them an email.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Regional Transit Authority to Receive Funding for Administrative Costs

Posted on by

The Regional Transit Authority will receive $2 million in additional funding to help cover administrative costs. SB 608 will appropriate these much needed funds to the RTA which will help cover the cost of staff and other related administrative expenses as they work towards creating a bus rapid transit system in Southeast Michigan.

The success if the RTA is vital to the region and this state and the League will continue to support efforts that will further enhance the transportation options in Michigan.

This bill has not yet been voted out of committee and will receive another hearing this Thursday, February 20th at 9 a.m.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Legislature Takes First Step Towards Helping Municipal Budgets Hit Hard by Winter Weather

Posted on by

This morning the Senate Appropriations Committee added an amendment to SB 608 that would put an extra $100 million into this year’s budget to help road agencies across this state cover excess snow removal costs that have accumulated this winter.

The $100 million will be divvied up through the state’s normal road funding formula with $39.1 million to the state transportation budget, $39.1 million to counties and $21.8 million to municipalities. We are also hopeful that most of the $39.1-million state share will flow back to counties and municipalities that contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for winter maintenance on state trunk-line routes within their boundaries.

This bill has not yet been voted out of committee and will receive another hearing this Thursday, February 20th at 9 a.m. The League is committed to finding ways to support local governments hit hard by this years winter weather and we will continue to offer our efforts to support that any additional funds that may be appropriated to our communities. Additional details can be found in this Detroit Free Press article.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate with the League handling Transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Michigan Road Preservation Association to Host Annual Workshop

Posted on by

The Michigan Road Preservation Association will be hosting their annual workshop April 2nd, 2014. The goal of the workshop is for the speakers to present and discuss with the attendees all aspects of preventive maintenance for city streets and county roads from the owners’ perspective…The emphasis this year will be on how to meet the owner’s goals for the street or road and their expectations for performance of the treatment selected…Budget considerations and historical cost ranges will also be factored into the discussion.

Registration forms for the event can be found at the following link. MRPA Registration

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Who Knew You Could Learn So Much From Snow

Posted on by

As the snow piles up and winter seems like it will never end, there is a hidden lesson that can be learned before the snow melts. Snow can teach us were to create better public spaces and build more pedestrian friendly streets all while still protecting the integrity of vehicular traffic. If you are interested in learning more and adding a new word to your vocabulary, “Sneckdowns”, please read the following links.

“Sneckdowns” and Better Public Spaces

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.