Insider Intelligence

The Senate passed a seven-bill package they believe will improve infrastructure policy in Michigan. Among the many changes, it requires the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to study the feasibility of toll roads on Michigan bridges or roadways. Other changes include: MDOT would be required to develop a highway construction inflation index by March 1, […]

This week the House passed legislation that aims to expand high-speed broadband service to rural areas throughout Michigan. The bills, introduced by Representative Triston Cole (R-Mancelona), allow Michigan electric cooperatives to use their electric easements to add broadband service to existing lines. Part of the package protects against legal issues that other states have faced […]

Senator Roger Victory (R-Georgetown Twp.) introduced legislation changing the way the state can bond for infrastructure projects. Under the bill, the State Transportation Commission (STC) would be required to notify the legislature 30 days prior to issuing any transportation bonds in excess of $100 million. It also provides the legislature with the authority to reject […]

Legislation was introduced this week giving local governments authority to levy their own taxes to help pay for infrastructure improvements. The bipartisan package was introduced by Representative Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann) and Representative Tim Sneller (D-Burton). The proposal allows a local government to put on the ballot a registration fee or excise fuel tax, which […]

In order to facilitate discussion on the critical water infrastructure needs in the Great Lakes Basin, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is hosting their first-ever Great Lakes Water Infrastructure Conference next spring. The regional conference will identify the water infrastructure challenges faced by the Great Lakes region and discuss solutions to those […]

The Michigan Department of Transportation is inviting public comment on their draft State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). STIP is a federally required planning document listing the road, bridge, and transit projects located in rural areas that the state plans to fund with federal aid. It includes a compilation of transportation projects that will be authorized […]

The House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee passed their budget for the upcoming 2019-2020 Fiscal Year, which includes revenue from a proposed change in how taxes are paid at the gas pump. Under the proposal, the 6% sales tax would be phased-out at the gas pump over two-years. Currently, all sales tax is directed to the School […]

The Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee reported their budget this week without including Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed 45-cent gas tax increase. In order to fund repairs to roads and bridges, the subcommittee instead fully implemented the road funding plan passed in 2015 one year earlier than is required under the law. The proposed appropriation totals $600 […]