Earlier today, the Senate passed SB 557, on a 37-0 vote, which would eliminate the requirement that cities and villages with populations over 25,000 pay a portion of all construction costs on state trunkline roads within their boundaries. Currently, no other local governments are mandated to participate in state construction projects. SEMCOG has been working on this legislation with Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) and the Michigan Municipal League over the past year.
The legislation will now move to the House and is likely to be assigned to the House Transportation Committee. SEMCOG urges local officials within our Southeast Michigan region to contact their House members and express support for this legislation. Contacting members of the Transportation Committee will also be very useful; the members of the committee are: (Chair) Rep. Pettalia, Presque Isle Twp.; Rep. Glardon, Owosso; Rep. Cole, Mancelona; Rep. Farrington, Utica; Rep. Goike, Ray Twp.; Rep. Jacobsen, Oxford; Rep. Lauwers, Brockway; Rep. Maturen, Portage; Rep. McCready, Birmingham; Rep. Yonker, Caldonia; (Minority Vice-Chair) Rep. Lane, Fraser; Rep. Cochran, Mason; Rep. Dianda, Calumet; Rep. Neeley, Flint; Rep. Rutledge, Ypsilanti; and Rep. Smiley, Grand Blanc.
Please contact Bill Anderson for further information.
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