June 6, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that will allow local communities to ask voters to invest in the development of mass transit.  The legislation was part of a transportation agreement announced in late April between Granholm, Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema and the Speaker of the House Craig DeRoche.

“Effective public transportation that helps connect citizens to jobs and essential services is a key element of economic development and job creation,” Granholm said.  “I am proud to sign legislation that gives every community in our state a new tool to develop this critical infrastructure.”

House Bill 6021 (Public Act 175) gives local communities greater flexibility when asking voters to make a long term investment in mass transit programs.  Current law allows local transportation authorities to levy taxes for only five years for public transportation purposes.  This bill extends the time period to 25 years, which will provide several communities with the flexibility to take advantage of more than $114 million in federal funding that was earmarked in last year’s federal transportation reauthorization.

Last December, Granholm vetoed similar legislation because it only applied to one county and not the entire state.  She urged the Legislature to address the disparity and send her legislation that treated communities across Michigan fairly.

House Bill 6021 was sponsored by Representative Jerry Kooiman (R-Grand Rapids).  The bill was given immediate effect.