Since the last time that we posted here, the Michigan Legislature did what they do at this time of the year, the took us all through the wonders of the lame duck session.  While countless hours and sums of energy were spent trying to get last minute deals done, in regards to our focus on transit and transportation funding, here’s what happened (or didn’t happen).  Let’s start with what didn’t happen.

Transit Bill Runs Off the Tracks (HB 6114)

Legislation to create Transit tax increment finance (TIF) zones died in the Senate.  The House passed HB 6114 (Donigan, D-Royal Oak) in November.  This would have allowed muncipalities to create transit TIF zones for hubs and lines of any form of public transit.  It’s similar to the way that downtown development authorities (DDA’s) work to create jobs and bring in new economic development.  There was some difference of opinion with other organizations regarding the ability of county governments and library districts to opt-out of being part of these zones … and the Michigan Senate used that as a reason to kill the bill.  Rumor has it that MML is going to try it again and keep making this concept a priority for the next legislative session.

Transportation Funding Package Scrapped

Despite the House moving a number of shell bills to the Senate so a potential funding package could be fully discussed, talks broke down among the respective chambers and the Governor in the early hours of last Thursday’s session, dooming the prospects of increases for transportation and transit funding during the 94th Legislature.  Things aren’t completely bleak as there are signs the Governor is willing to  push a $2 billion transportation/transit funding package next year.

But some good stuff did happen:

Woodward Street Rail is Coming to Detroit

About 1:30AM last Friday morning, the Legislature finalized work on the Woodward Street Rail package (HB’s 6542 - 44; SB’s 1588 - 90  and 1592).  This lays the groundwork for a private investement group to provide funding for a 3.5 mile streetrail project that will travel up Woodward (from New Center to Downtown) and could become the anchor of a much larger regional transit system (see the SEMCOG video previously posted)

So the fight will continue next year to make sure that we Get Michigan Moving again by provided proper funding for our vital transportation and transit projects.  In the meantime, please have a very Happy Holiday season (but watch out for those potholes and banks of snow)!

Folks, it’s time we act! We need to contact our State Representatives because legislation that would raise $1.5 billion a year in new funding for transportation and transit depends on it!  If the House of Reps. doesn’t pass this legislation next week, then they will never get to it because it’ll be the end of the 94th Legislative Session.  These bills would have to start from scratch and who knows how long it could take to get transit funding for our communities. This is THE opportunity of 2008 … NOW BEFORE THEY GO HOME FOR GOOD!

We’ve set up two websites that will help you contact our State Reps:

To Call Lawmakers (talking points and calling script available here)

To Email Lawmakers (personalize our sample letter and email directly from this site)

Any increase in transportation funding will also increase funding for transit operations.  If enacted, mass transit operations in Michigan will receive the necessary funding to support light rail projects, commuter rail projects, and new bus-rapid transit projects in cities statewide.

Please call, email or personally visit House members and tell them it’s urgent that they pass the transportation investment plan.

I found this video on YouTube today.  It’s a great video that talks about SEMCOG’s (Southeast Metropolitican Council of Governments) transportation plan to improve the area’s transportation system. 

If we’re going to get this done, we need you to support the plan and tell State Legislators to act to support this plan.

Check out this article from today’s Center of Michigan release!  Inaction by the State Legislature is killing Michigan jobs, roads, bridges, and transit systems.  When, oh when, will we get our act together?

http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/planes-and-trains/

Between the legislative Thanksgiving break and the start-up of the 2008 “Lame Duck” session, folks at the MML have been busy putting together a press conference about Michigan’s pressing transportation needs.  Media outlets looking to cover the federal economic stimulus proposal expected out of D.C. were all ears at today’s press conference where several Michigan communities urged the state Legislature to approve measures that would boost money for transportation improvements and keep Michigan in the running for federal funds.

Heck … even the Chicago Tribune picked up on it already:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-transportationspe,0,7564573.story

And here’s the press release that MML sent out:

http://www.mml.org/pdf/mml_news_release12-3.pdf