I've returned from the 2009 American Public Works Association (Michigan Chapter) annual meeting in Boyne, MI.  The APWA is the association of public works directors and employees throughout the state.  These are the folks who manage municipal infrastructure (water, sewer, and roads).  Each year, I give a Legislative Update to the members of the APWA and try to provide some perspective on what is going on in the State Legislature.  This year, my task was to educate them on the Transportation Funding Task Force (TF2) funding legislation that is coming soon.

Part of my presentation included sharing with them a spreadsheet from MDOT that shows what each Michigan city and village can expect to receive in new transportation money if the TF2 bills are enacted (available here: TF2 MTF Forecast Plan City Village 5-11-09.pdf (41.95 kb)).  It was good to see them get excited about the possibilities of a legislature finally supporting the efforts to get good transportation in Michigan.

I had to remind them that they have the power to get this done, just like you do.  I’ve been told many times by legislators “Yeah Dave, I get it.  Transportation needs more money.  But I’m only hearing it from you, not from my folks at home.”  We need you to ACT NOW!

Here’s a sample resolution that you can have your city councils adopt (available here:5-18-09 A Resolution Requesting Enactment of the Transportation Funding Task Force Legislation.pdf (32.47 kb)).  Here’s a link to our action center so that you can send emails or make calls.  Let us know how you’re doing with these calls.  Tell your friends and families to call.  We need the legislature to ACT NOW on transportation funding.

Thanks so much for all you do for the MML and for Michigan.



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