Last week after contentious debate on the Senate floor, the Senate held off voting on House Bills 5688 and 5705, bills that allow communities to create lighting authorities as an alternative and cost effective way to finance and operate a lighting system.

The bills are permissive and are being championed by the City of Detroit as a cost saving measure for the city.

The legislature is now on its summer break but is expected to be in on July 18.

Samantha Harkins works for the Michigan Municipal League handling municipal services and energy and technology issues.  She can be reached at 517-908-0306 or email at [email protected]