The board of the Regional Transit
Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan met Thursday to discuss voting on the
ballot issue for November, but the vote ultimately failed delaying the decision
further.
The RTA was created as a provision in
legislation passed after the issue of developing a Detroit area transit system
had been debated for several decades. The RTA aims to send a millage proposal to
voters to raise $4.6 billion over 20 years to connect Wayne, Macomb, and
Oakland counties. Seven of the nine members of the RTA were needed to support
the measure before the voters could make a decision in November, however Macomb
and Oakland representatives voted no.
Officials from Macomb and Oakland
County voiced their objections to the RTA, stating the system does not provide
enough services for the amount of taxes residents would have to pay. Former
Representative Chuck Moss, one of the Oakland representatives, commented
Oakland County would contribute around $700 million to the system but only
receive $79 million in services.
Chairman of the RTA, former House
Speaker Paul Hillegonds, commented the authority has about one week to call an
emergency meeting to call for a vote and get the issue on the ballot this
November.