Senate Bill 410, legislation to authorize the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) between Detroit and Windsor , Ontario
The substitute legislation, reportedly the product of negotiations by Lt. Governor Brian Calley , the Senate Republican Majority Leaders’ office and Senate Democratic Caucus members, called for an agreement for community support between an organization representing the Delray community and those responsible for the bridge development.
It was the community support issue that ultimately led all five Republicans on the Senate panel to vote against the substitute version of the bill, which failed 5-2. When the original version was then brought up for a vote, it failed 2-3-2, with Senators Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan) and Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell) voting yes, Chairman Kowall and Senators Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) and Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) voting no, and Senators Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) and Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) passing.
Acknowledging Thursday’s action as a set back, Governor Rick Snyder quickly called for a “cooling off” period of a week or two, stating that he remained committed to accomplishing this initiative and that an agreement could likely be reached if groups had an opportunity to regroup and find common ground.