Press Release
Contact:
Matt Bach
Director of Communications
Michigan Municipal League
(734) 669-6317; C: (810) 874-1073
[email protected]; www.mml.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2019
Michigan Municipal League Seeks Comprehensive Plan of Action
LANSING, Mich. ― The following is a statement from Dan Gilmartin, Michigan Municipal League CEO and Executive Director. The statement is in response to today’s House Transportation Subcommittee action.
“The Michigan Municipal League supports providing new and sustainable investment in our broken transportation system that is commensurate with the problem. While it is true that we need a broad-based solution to repair our infrastructure, we oppose efforts that attempt to meet that goal at the expense of others. We cannot simply shift existing revenues without damaging institutions currently supported by those dollars, such as our local communities, public schools and public transit systems.
Over the past two decades, local government has been cut by almost $9 billion and cannot afford yet another blow to critical services that residents rely on. Further, any proposal to address our infrastructure needs must also include new revenues for transit – this plan as proposed would undermine efforts in that area.
The League agrees that we need to dedicate $2.5 billion in new and sustainable revenues to fix our transportation network– but adjustments to the state sales tax currently collected at the pump must ensure that our schools and local municipalities are protected.
We are hopeful that budget negotiations will center on a comprehensive solution to bolster our economy while protecting institutions Michigan taxpayers rely upon every day. We are committed to working with the Governor and the state Legislature to inform the process and develop a plan of action that benefits our entire state.
For additional information, contact Matt Bach, the League’s director of communications, at (810) 874-1073 (cell); (734) 669-6317 (office) and [email protected].
About the League: Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.