Tag Archives: SB 608

Additional Road Funding for Michigan Communities Awaits Governor Snyder’s Signature

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(Update: View a joint press release on this issue)

The Senate and House quickly approved SB 608 after the conference committee voted it out just before noon this morning and it now awaits the Governor’s signature. The bill includes $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 anticipated this bill will receive the Governors 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. The following link will provide the amount each city and village will receive from the $100 million after it is distributed through the formula.

$100 Million Breakdown for Cities and Villages

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.

Conference Committee Votes Out Supplemental with Additional Road Funding

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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

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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

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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.