Important state budget news from our friends at the Michigan Municipal League:
"The Governor announced her Fiscal Year 2011 budget last Thursday . . . . Due to the continued decline in state gas tax and vehicle registration revenue, MDOT will be forced to leave nearly a half a billion dollars of Michigan’s federal gas tax dollars in DC because they don’t have enough matching money to draw down our full allotment.
This is the first time in memory that Michigan, let alone any state, will not draw down their state’s share of federal gas tax revenues! As a result of this half billion dollar funding reduction, MDOT has announced the delay of nearly 250 road projects in their recently adopted 5-year plan.
The House Transportation committee announced a series of three public hearings around the state on this:
- (The first hearing scheduled for this morning in Kalamazoo was canceled due to the winter storm and will be rescheduled.)
- Monday, March 8, 10am at Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City
- Monday, March 22, 10am at Eagle Crest Conference Center, Ypsilanti
It is very important that the legislators and media understand the importance of protecting transportation funding. I encourage you to attend one of these hearings."