Road Funding to be Discussed During Lame Duck Session

Road Funding to be Discussed During Lame 
Duck Session

LANSING - Michigan lawmakers are currently involved in a lame duck session in Lansing, Michigan. Bills introduced into legislature during the session, which began in 2013, must be passed by the end of the year or they will be forced to start again from scratch. One of the big issues being talked about is road funding.

On Thursday, December 4th the House voted to divert $1.2 billion in sales tax revenue from fuel sales. The revenue will be taken from schools and cities and dedicated to road repairs. The "Bolger Plan" put forth by speaker Jase Bolger differs from a plan previously proposed.

The State Senate Passed a Road Funding Plan in November that would raise around $1 Billion for roads by roughly doubling gas taxes over a four year span. Under the senate plan fuel taxes could potentially top 43 cents by 2018.

Governor Snyder as well as republicans and democrats in the legislature have stated that road funding is at the top of their list for this session.

Michigan Legislators have about two weeks to come up with a compromise of road funding legislation. John Niemela, Vice Chairman for the Complete Streets Advisory Council, is optimistic that legislature regarding Michigan roads may be passed during this year.

He said, "It's gotten a high priority and both the House and Senate have legislation that would provide additional funding for transportation related activities so for all of the folks involved in transportation, its a big deal right now."

Another transportation related initiative being implemented across Michigan communities is that of Complete Streets. Niemela directed the Complete Streets Advisory Meeting on Thursday December 4th in which they mentioned the lame duck session.

Complete Streets are designed to enable safe access to streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders. During the meeting, which is open to the public, the council received updates on the program as well as approved their schedule for next year.

The complete streets advisory council includes representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation and meeting notes and agendas can be found on their website.

The House has the last lame duck session date tentatively planned for December 18th. Other items included on the agenda for this years session are civil rights issues and film incentives.

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