On a good note, the legislature seems to have agreed that Michigan cannot afford to lose nearly half a billion dollars in Federal transportation funds due to its inability to provide state matching dollars. How they find the required matching dollars, however, is an entirely different issue.

On June 9, the House passed a Department of Transportation budget (HB 5889) that would borrow $84 million from the General Fund needed to match $475 million in federal transportation dollars. It also removed all mention of the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) project. HB 5889 differed from the bill as reported from committee by not including appropriations contingent on the passage of revenue increase bills. The Republican caucus unanimously voted against the bill along with four democrats including Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Pam Byrnes who insists on the need for increasing revenue into the Michigan Transportation Fund.

On May 18, the Senate passed its version of the transportation budget (SB 1164) using a different method to secure the federal highway dollars. The Senate found $84 million in state funds through redirecting revenue from other transportation line items and restricted funds to the state trunkline road and bridge line. MDOT's maintenance budget and dollars for visitor centers was greatly reduced by this measure.

These differencing are now awaiting resolution by a joint committee.

Meanwhile, MDOT is moving forward with a significantly-reduced 5-year transportation plan as required by law. Even if the legislature acts soon, MDOT is voicing the difficulty in modifying the STIP to add the projects back into the plan.

For more information Contact: Ron Brenke