Inside 208

Both the House and Senate proposals to enact a new transportation authorization bill have stalled in their respective chambers. And as different as the bills are (see comparative summary), so are the reasons for their current state. In the House, proponents of the bill contend that the delay is over...

The  2012 Spring Transportation Asset Management Conference will take place on April 25 in Livonia. The Michigan Municipal League is a co-sponsor of this conference that is designed for all local and appointed officials who have an interest in transportation projects or facilities. Here is a flyer with all of the...

Recently Amtrak and MDOT received federal funding to increase the maximum speeds of Amtrak trains in Western Michigan and Northern Indiana to 110 mph. Yesterday, federal, local and state officials joined Amtrak and MDOT for a demonstration of the new 110 mph service between Porter, Indiana and Kalamazoo, Michigan. CLICK...

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is soliciting applications for candidate projects for the Local Bridge Program in which selected projects will be funded during the 2015 fiscal year. Click Here for more information and application requirements. The deadline for applications in May 1, 2012. Jason Mancini works for the...

This afternoon the House Oversight, Reform and Ethics committee heard testimony on HB 5196, a bill that would require public entities to post wages and benefits for employees who receive more than $100,000 total compensation. It also heard testimony on HB 5274, a bill that would require all contracts for...

Today (Feb. 13, 2012), the Michigan Municipal League hosted a webinar on the Governor’s proposed budget. Eric Lupher, with Citizens Research Council, gave a broad budget overview, touching on the highllights of what is being funded this year. Then League lobbyists Summer Minnick, Andy Schor, and Jason Mancini talked more...

As of February 1st MDOT has suspended the use of the force account by local agencies on federally funded projects for 90 days. MDOT will be conducting a review process which will include the Michigan Muncipal League during the 90 day period. New program guidance documents, eligibility criteria, and oversight...

President Obama has released his 2013 budget recommendations.  And while the House and Senate will have their own ideas, the President’s budget is at the very least set a marker for administration priorities. As a example, the President’s budget includes specific ideas on how to improve cities and metropolitan areas  as well as rural...

The Obama administration announced a settlement with the nations’ largest banks – Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, GMAC/Ally, and Wells Fargo. This settlement culminates a year of effort on the part of the 50-state Attorney’s General lawsuit against mortgage loan servicers accused of wrongful foreclosures. As announced by Attorney General...

Its time to call your congressional representative and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 7. The legislation, approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would cost Michigan $217 million in funding over the next five years! Aside from losing precious funds to rebuild our roads and bridges, the...