Here’s the latest release from the Michigan Municipal League (MML) regarding the recent passage of HB 6114:

Senate Urged to Take up HB 6114 for Transit-Related Jobs and Economic Development

Senate Should Strengthen Bill to Maximize Transit Jobs and Development in Michigan

 LANSING, Mich. - Transit legislation (House Bill 6114) passed by the state House is a great start but needs to be amended by the Senate to maximize the jobs and economic development  benefits for future rapid transit projects in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and other regions, Get Michigan Moving (GM2) said today.

“We appreciate the House getting this important bill moving, but the bill was weakened and the job and economic development benefits of future transit projects were more limited than they could have been,” said Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, a founding member of GM2, a coalition working to increase awareness of the economic benefits of rapid transit.

HB 6114 would create geographic “transit revitalization investment zones” around rapid transit stations. As commercial and residential development occurs in the zones, the resulting growth in property tax revenues would be used to fund the operation, maintenance or infrastructure of the transit stations and related facilities.  An amendment to the bill on the House floor last week would allow counties to “opt out” of participating in the investment zones. GM2 is asking the Senate to strike the “opt out” provision from the bill.

“Under this amendment, counties would benefit from the development and jobs created around transit systems, but would not help fund the operations of the systems,” Gilmartin said. “We need everyone working together to help fund public transit.  We all talk about the need for transit in Michigan, and we all need to move forward together for jobs and economic development in our communities.”

Transit zones need all the possible tax increment dollars to maximize new business development and the creation of new jobs.  In transit zones, cities have the most dollars to contribute due to millage rates, and counties have the second-most dollars to contribute.  Allowing opt-outs reduces support for the transit stations and systems that spark new development and jobs.  

Dallas, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Charlotte, N.C., are among the major U.S. cities that, in recent years, have created thousands of jobs and attracted billions of dollars in new developments and re-developments by building and expanding light rail systems. The transit systems are credited with sparking the construction of new apartments and condominium units, restaurants, office buildings, retail stores, cafes, movie theaters, centers for the arts, and much more. Development around transit stations and systems is called “transit-oriented development.” GM2 believes Michigan can also gain thousands of good jobs and billions in new commercial and residential development by building and expanding public transit systems - buses, light rail and commuter rail lines - in regions across the state.

The Senate is expected to take up HB 6114 and other transit legislation - House Bills 6542 to 6547 - following the Legislature’s Thanksgiving recess. GM2 noted that HBs 6542 to 6547 also create investment zones similar to those created in HB 6114 without containing opt-outs for counties.

“We applaud the Legislature for making all of these transit bills priorities because they will help restore prosperity to Michigan,” Gilmartin said. “But the language needs to be consistent. The House passed HBs 6542 to 6547 without opt outs, but passed HB 6114 with opt outs. That is inconsistent public policy and makes no sense. We are asking the Senate to keep the opt-outs out of all of the bills.”

Other members of GM2 are the Detroit Regional Chamber, Transportation Riders United, and the Michigan Environment Council. For more information about GM2, please visit www.GetMichiganMoving.org.

Here’s the latest release from the MML regarding the Transportation Funding Task Force (TF2)

Transportation Rescue Plan Would Generate Jobs, Investments

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan would gain thousands of new jobs and billions in new economic development and redevelopment by implementing recommendations of a new statewide transportation system report released today by a blue ribbon panel of business, labor and government leaders, the Michigan Municipal League (MML) said.

The 62 page report from the Transportation Funding Task Force (found at http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9623_31969-202856–,00.html) presents a frank assessment of Michigan’s neglected and crumbling transportation system, including roads and bridges, public transit and aviation. The task force recommends reforms to make transit operations more efficient and cost effective, and significant new investments in public transit and roads to generate jobs and economic development.

“The broad conclusion of the report is spot on: Michigan’s economy can prosper again if we make significant public and private sector investments in public transit and roads and bridges,” said MML Executive Director and CEO Dan Gilmartin. “The converse is also true. Michigan simply will not prosper again if we continue to disinvest in our roads and fail to develop transit alternatives to driving including adequate bus systems, light rail and commuter rail. We need the Governor and our legislative leaders to join with the private sector, citizens, and the federal government to make transportation an economic development priority.”

Gilmartin noted new public transit projects are moving forward in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Ann Arbor and Howell. The recommendations in the task force report and legislation pending in Lansing — including House Bill 6114 — would provide foundations to support transit jobs and investments in the future, he said.

“These projects represent a terrific start but still fall short of the level of rapid transit system development Michigan desperately needs to create jobs, generate new development and attract young, college educated people to live in our communities,” Gilmartin said. “Michigan simply must get to the level of investment recommended in the task force report, or we will continue to watch from the sidelines as urban areas in other states thrive as a result of their rapid transit systems.”

The Transportation Funding Task Force was created by Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Legislature in 2007. Its 13 members include leaders of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, organized labor, state and local governments, both major political parties, public transit, aviation, tourism, and the general public.

After months of work and public meetings across the state, the task force report concludes that: “The consequences to Michigan if action is not taken to address the need for increased transportation investment are dire indeed.” Michigan will lose up to $1 billion in federal funds each year, “putting more than 17,000 jobs at risk.”

Increasing transportation investment to a “good level” will “sustain 126,000 Michigan jobs, attract new business, and open new global markets for Michigan products and services. It will yield nearly $15 billion in other economic benefits for all sectors of the Michigan economy.”

For mass transit, the report says a “good investment level” will allow agencies to replace aging bus fleets with greener and more fuel-efficient vehicles. “It will enhance convenience and choice in passenger transportation and allow implementation of long-overdue travel alternatives, such as commuter rail and light rail …. It will provide urban travel options that make Michigan cities more attractive to business and residents.”

Gilmartin noted cities across the nation that have built rapid and mass transit systems in the past 15 years — Dallas, Minneapolis, Denver, Charlotte, Portland — have gained thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in new private sector development, including residential housing units, retail stores, restaurants, entertainment venues and other cultural attractions, grocery stores and shopping centers, and much more.

“Investing in roads and public transit is a proven economic development policy that other cities in other states have embraced,” he said. “Sadly, Michigan has not and is missing out on the many economic, environmental and social benefits of transit.”

MML, along with many business, labor, government and citizen organizations, will be seeking new transit and transportation policies and investments in Michigan in the coming months and years.

Among the many ballot proposals that were decided on by folks this week, I think this is an interesting development out of California.  $10 billion bond to support fast trains over 800 miles.  Could something like this happen in Michigan.  Could we get Michigan voters to approve a bond to provide start up funds for regional transit, connecting Detroit with Lansing with Ann Arbor with Grand Rapids.

Could I finally get something that would allow me to get to work without having to drive 140 miles round trip to do so (can’t pass up the Kzoo Promise now, can I?)  I’d vote for that bond!

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081105/D94925900.html