Southeast Michigan Mass Transit Initiative Given Potential New Life

The House Transportation Committee took two-and-a-half hours of testimony Thursday from business and political groups and those representing local governmental units – breathing new life into the age-long debate over mass transit in Southeast Michigan. The jammed hearing room overflowed into a second room and, while no vote on legislation was taken and some concerns and suggested changes were discussed, the atmosphere was certainly one of cooperation and potential progress.

House Transportation Committee Chair Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) voiced some frustration that the two major transportation issues, the New International Trade Crossing and Southeast Michigan mass transit (Senate Bill 909), both were initiated legislatively in the Senate. He opted to have a hearing on the issue, which has a House version in House Bill 5309.

The measure, sponsored by Representative Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak), proposes to create the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority to serve Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The Authority would be able to receive federal funds and propose special assessments to voters in the region.

Community leaders, including Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Deputy Oakland County Executive Robert Daddow, and Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Chair Conan Smith testified in favor of the initiative.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 28, 2012 11:09 AM
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