Inside 208

Join the cause at justfixtheroads.com.In his State of the State speech last night Governor Snyder indicated that increased funding for transportation is priority. This has been a long standing priority for the Michigan Municipal League as we have participated in many taskforces, workgroups and initiatives in the last several years. [...]

LANSING, Michigan – Governor Snyder held his third State of the State speech last night.  In it, he discussed the areas in which he would like to focus on during the next two years. Transportation dollars to fix Michigan roads was towards the top of the list.  He discussed his [...]

Plywood under a bridge going over a Michigan expressway. Image from Justfixtheroads.com. This statement is from Linden Mayor David Lossing, president of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees. Lossing is commenting on tonight’s State of the State address by Gov. Rick Snyder, who called for new investment in Michigan’s [...]

William Mathewson talks to League members about the Open Meetings Act at an education session Wednesday in Ann Arbor. View more photos here. ANN ARBOR, Michigan – The first of a series of new training weeks kicked off today with sessions on the state’s Freedom of Information Act, Open Meetings [...]

The MI Transportation Asset Management Council has announced the 2013 PASER training and certification schedule on their website. This training is required for those employees who are rating the roads this summer. For more information or to register contact the Center for Technology and Training at (906) 487-2102 or [email protected]. [...]

A new resource for understanding the new federal transportation program, MAP – 21 is now available from Transportation 4 America here. This is aimed at helping those who will be wokring with or under the programs, better navigate his new comprehensive law. Summer Minnick is the Director of Policy Initiatives [...]

The Legislature passed the final two pieces of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) legislation for Metro Detroit in the marathon lame duck session.  SB 912 would exempt the RTA from local zoning. SB 967 would require communities to provide access to rights-of-way for the system. Governor Snyder is expected to [...]

The Senate today passed HB 5302, which is intended to be part of the “best practices” requirements for local units of government. The most recent copy of the bill passed committee offers much more flexibility for local road agencies. The bill in now headed to the House Floor. The version passed [...]

In the past several days, several federal news sources have indicated that Transportation Sectretary Ray LaHood will continue to serve into Obamas second term. LaHood had made prior statements that he likely wouldn’t stick around for a second term, but it appears as though he has had a change of [...]

After putting up the bill twice and not having enough votes, the House of Representatives finally passed SB 909, the main bill in the Regional Transit Authority package. The 3rd time was the charm, as the bill passed on a 57-50 vote (with 3 not voting). The bill passed with [...]