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transit funding

RTA funding vote lost, despite huge need and great support

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Despite a huge effort from many supporters, the Regional Transit funding ballot measure lost with 50.5% no votes outweighing the 49.5% of yes votes.

I am extraordinarily proud of our efforts, including the RTA’s great plan, the immense coalition of supporters and the passionate and hardworking activists. A sincere and deep thank you to each and everyone one of you!

Yes ultimately, our efforts proved to not be enough, especially as our calls for compassion and bringing the region together were drowned out in an election of fear and anger at the “other.”

What’s next? Well, there was no Plan B in place.

The RTA will continue to coordinate transit as they and others discuss and decide what happens next. Please stay tuned and stay involved.

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Michigan Roads Package: Some Silver Linings, But Major Dark Clouds

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The Michigan Legislature finally passed a “Roads Funding” package of bills which the Governor has said he will sign into law. Unfortunately, the package was really the least they could do, the very least.

There are a few silver linings in the package, including $60 million a year for Michigan’s transit agencies, adjustments for inflation, and more flexibility for Detroit to invest in transit.

But it also has some mayor dark clouds, including long delays before implementation, only half of the funding from new revenue, and threats to other budget priorities in years to come.

Read on for more details.

Michigan Roads Package: Some Silver Linings, But Major Dark Clouds Read More »

Vice President Biden Helps DDOT Reach 100% Pull-Out

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Vice President Joe Biden came to Detroit, echoing what TRU has long said, that “Transportation is the single biggest factor allowing people to move up the economic ladder.”

Mayor Duggan thanked Biden for his help in Detroit getting federal grants for 80 new DDOT buses which are now all on the road, enabling DDOT to finally run 100 percent of their scheduled service!

TRU applauds this important progress, yet notes that far more still remains to be done. DDOT must maintain this progress, improve on-time service, and develop a plan for long-term improvement, in coordination with regional partners.

Vice President Biden Helps DDOT Reach 100% Pull-Out Read More »

Michigan Senate Passed Mediocre Transportation Funding Package

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The Michigan Senate voted July 1 on their alternative to a transportation funding package, passing it with mostly Republicans votes. While far better than the House version, it remains insufficient.

We applaud that it would provide roughly $80 million more a year for transit, but are concerned that transit gets only 5% of the total funding and only budget priorities are threatened.

We strongly urge the legislature to improve upon the Senate version and reject the House version, providing sufficient stable funding to our full transportation system without gutting other state budget priorities.

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Urge Michigan's Senate to fund our FULL transportation system

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Remember the transportation funding mess that was Michigan’s Proposal 1? Well the legislature is considering new alternatives, but what the House passed is even worse!! On June 10, the House voted to raise road revenue by taking money from economic development, raising fees for green vehicles, and eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit. They completely left out transit. This is

Urge Michigan's Senate to fund our FULL transportation system Read More »