For decades, the Michigan legislature was opposed to or apathetic about public transit. Advocates would come up to Lansing to fight against legislative proposals to gut transit funding. Oh how things have changed!
First Meeting of the Legislative Transit Caucus
In part from a recommendation from TRU, State Representatives Jason Morgan and Mike McFall have launched a new Legislative Transit Caucus, which met for the first time February 28.
“[The] inaugural meeting of the Public Transit Caucus signifies a turning point for Michigan’s transportation landscape. Through fostering bipartisan collaboration, we’re well-positioned to drive meaningful change and expand access to safe, reliable public transit options for all Michiganders.”
Caucus Co-Founder Rep Jason Morgan
Over 30% of Legislature joined the Transit Caucus!
The bipartisan caucus received considerable support, boasting a membership of nearly 50 legislators hailing from both the House and Senate, with representation from across the state, spanning both peninsulas.
According to a list from co-founder Rep Mike McFall’s office, all four chairs of transportation policy and budget committees have joined the transit caucus, including state Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), who chairs the House Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee; state Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), who chairs the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee; and state Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), chair of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, plus state Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), who chairs the Senate Transportation Infrastructure Committee, who joined the caucus and was at Wednesday’s meeting.
Other House members McFall’s office says have expressed an interest in the caucus are: Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), Natalie Price (D-Berkley), Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), Sarah Lightner (R-Springport Twp.), Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.), Donni Steele (R-Orion Twp.), Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Gregory Alexander (R-Carsonville), Carol Glanville (D-Walker), Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Reggie Miller (D-Belleville), Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti), Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids), Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) and Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing).
Senators are: Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Kevin Daley (R-Lum), Roger Victory (R-Georgetown Twp.), Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.), Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit).
If your state legislators have joined the Transit Caucus, thank them! If not (yet), encourage them to join.
Transit agencies, riders, allies welcome caucus, offer recommendations
The Michigan Public Transit Association, Regional Transit Authority, and TRU came together to develop a letter applauding the creation of the Transit Caucus, offering our support, and urging them to prioritize full funding of local bus operating. Nine other organizations signed on in support of the initial letter, including SEMCOG, Detroit Disability Power, Ecology Center, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Environmental Council, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Groundwork Center, and Sierra Club.
Other Michigan organizations that agree with the importance of funding local bus service are welcome to sign on too, before the letter is sent to the Transportation Appropriations subcommittees. Contact Clark@mptaonline.org for details.