Yesterday the full Michigan House of Representatives passed the transportation budget with most other department budgets as one omnibus bill. The transportation budget contained the same cuts approved by the House Appropriations Committee – $10 million reduction to Bus Operating and $10 million reduction to Bus Capital. Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R- Traverse City) and most democrats attempted unsuccessfully to amend the bill to restore the $20 million reduction and should be thanked for the attempt.
The next stop for this bill is conference committee, made up of legislators from both the House and Senate. We do not yet know when the committee will meet or who the conferees will be. Stay tuned.
Also, transit advocates from all across Michigan will be heading to the Capitol on Tuesday, May 17, for a big Transit Advocacy Day at the Capitol. We will meet with our legislators and urge them to fight these cuts. If you are interested in joining us, contact Ruth Johnson and join us for a planning meeting and training session Tuesday, May 10, from 6-8pm at the MSU Detroit Center.