Another small step forward...
Quote:
Detroit lawmaker to introduce bills to establish regional mass transit authority
By Bill Shea / Crain's Detroit Business
Dec. 16, 2009
State Rep. Bert Johnson will introduce legislation Thursday that would establish a regional mass transit authority for metro Detroit despite concern from Mayor Dave Bing’s administration.
Johnson, D-Detroit, said he wants the bills introduced before the Legislature leaves for the year at the end of the week, saying that federal transportation funding will be lost to elsewhere if action isn’t taken soon.
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The three counties were able to reach an accord on the bulk of the proposed legislation, but the city objected because the 65-35 city-suburbs percentage split of federal transit funding set up in the 1980s would be replaced in the new legislation by tradition state and federal formulas.
“The city is right to be concerned for that. That’s a very valid point,” Johnson said, but added that it was something that needed to be worked out in the legislative process rather than delaying the bills altogether.
“These are imperfect ideas we hope to make more perfect” through negotiations during work group and committee meetings, he said.
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I'm actually surprised to hear it is the city, now, and not the suburbs, holding this up as its traditionally been. I'm particularly surprised that Bing seems to care so much about the split and ceding some of Detroit's control when he's never much cared about this, before, on any other issue. The stereotypical view of the man is that he'd sell off all of Detroit for pennys if he could. Move, Bing; get out the way!