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Michigan pursues road, bridge funds through multiple sources

Michigan lawmakers are continuing their efforts to pursue changes to policy and budgets to help plug holes. While much attention in recent weeks has been given to the state’s interest in accepting $550 million from Canada to help build a new Detroit River bridge, other attempts are being made to generate money for transportation projects.

Among the options being considered to generate more money for transportation are adding funds for local roads and targeting unpaid parking tickets. There is also a new law intended to benefit congestion.

The Senate recently voted by unanimous consent to approve a bill that would let county road commissions use more money from the Michigan Transportation Fund on the county local road system. The bill – SB995 – has since moved to the House Transportation Committee.

State law currently only allows up to 30 percent of Michigan transportation tax revenue returned to counties to be used on the county local road system, rather than on the county primary road system. The bill would increase that threshold to 50 percent.

Made up mostly of revenue from fuel taxes and vehicle registrations, $593 million from the transportation fund is allotted to the state’s 83 county road commissions in the current two-year fiscal period.

Local governments are getting creative in an effort to resolve funding issues. Trying to combat the cash crunch, two bills would benefit city and county governments looking to fill budget gaps.

One bill would tap unpaid parking tickets to provide a boost for local governments. Awaiting consideration in the Senate Transportation Committee, HB4726 would allow the state to block driver’s license renewals for people who accumulate three or more unpaid parking tickets.

The House has already signed off on the effort.

Michigan law now requires six or more unpaid parking tickets from the same community before a hold can be put on a motorist’s driver’s license renewal. Those people found in violation can get their licenses renewed only after paying the overdue fines and a $45 clearance fee.

Supporters say that communities stand to receive a shot in the arm for transportation funding if the bill goes through. In Detroit alone, the city has $30 million in parking tickets that are outstanding, The Detroit News reported.

Another bill, which is also intended to boost road funding options for local governments, would repeal a ban on counties using general property tax revenue for road construction and maintenance. House lawmakers voted 106-1 to send to the Senate a bill that would allow counties with a surplus of money in their general fund to use a portion of the revenue for roadwork.

HB5141 is in the Senate Local, Urban and State Affairs Committee.

Concern about highway safety spurred passage of one bill. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed a bill into law intended to ease gridlock caused by certain fender-benders. Previously HB5140, the new law requires moving drivable wrecked vehicles off the road.

Drivers – or licensed passengers – are required to remove their vehicles from traffic lanes as long as the vehicles are still drivable and no serious injuries were suffered. Failure to move vehicles would result in $105 fines.

Advocates for the requirement said that studies have shown that more than 20 percent of wrecks are secondary wrecks that occur because of drivers reacting to an existing accident scene or because of a backup situation.

To view other legislative activities of interest for Michigan, click here .

Editor’s Note: Please share your thoughts with us about the legislation included in this story. Comments may be sent to [email protected] .

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