Bulletins
The state’s main business group, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, announced publicly today support for a sizeable funding increase for transportation, including a nine-cent gas tax increase phased in over three years. While outlining the Chamber’s legislative priorities for 2007, the business group said that transportation was a crucially important
Prevailing Wage MDOT will be increasing wage rate interviews during the 2007 construction season. Efforts will be made to insure that contractors are complying with all requirements as specified in the prevailing wage contract documents. Third party personnel may assist MDOT with these interviews. Remember, the prime contractor is ultimately
A bill pending in the state Senate would set up a 7-member task force and a 12-member citizens advisory panel to consider long-term transportation funding options and the possible elimination of the 19-cent gas tax. With transportation funding reliant on a per gallon gas tax that doesn’t keep up with
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee announced today that the FY07 joint resolution will fund highways and transit at the SAFETEA-LU authorized levels, avoiding a potential $158 million cut for Michigan transportation spending. A budget bill pending in Congress this week would have frozen all increases in federal funding for this
Last year proved to be a busy and productive year for MITA’s legislative operations. From lobbying for increased infrastructure funding to regulatory reforms and tax relief, MITA is proud to tout a series of impressive accomplishments for 2006. A recap of last year’s legislative successes: • Supported the “Local Jobs
A MITA-led effort to reinstate a construction industry hours of service exemption for intrastate truck drivers was signed by the governor December 30th and is already in effect. House Bill 6663, sponsored Rep Phil LaJoy (R-Canton Twp.), will create expanded hours of service opportunities for intrastate truck drivers. A previous
In cooperation with MITA, MDOT is planning a pilot project that will make electronic 3-dimensional construction data files available to contractors at the time of advertisement. The 2007 pilot project will be designed with a software program that will produce the electronic design files a contractor can import directly into
MITA Pushes To Make Changes Before New Year A MITA-led effort to reinstate a construction industry hours of service exemption for intrastate truck drivers is on it’s way to the governor. This week, the state Senate followed the lead of the House in passing legislation critical to the heavy construction
MITA has been at the forefront of a flurry of activity on several key measures occurring before the end of 2006. Truck Driver Hours of Service Effort Being Pushed by MITA MITA has been working at a furious pace in recent weeks, leading the effort to get truck driver “hours
Continuing on the recent general election success where MITA-PAC earned an impressive 69-3 record in those races in which it was involved, MITA continued its streak by supporting all four winners in this week’s legislative leadership races. In leadership elections held this week, House Democrats elected Andy Dillon to become
MITA score card: 69-3 In a landslide fashion, Democrats scored significant gains in Michigan, retaining the governorship with almost 60 percent of the vote and seizing control of the state House for the first time in eight years. Republicans managed to sustain a slim majority in the state Senate, 21-17,
The state announced that 67 communities have been approved to receive grants to assist with the completion of needed water quality improvement efforts. In 2005, MITA helped write and pass legislation creating a $40 million clean water grant program. The “S2” grants were designed to cover local government costs of
