Bulletins

Engineering

MDOT Implements

Effective with the May letting the pay item for Minor Traf Devices and Flag Control will state the maximum amount that can be bid for each of those items. These changes are being implemented by MDOT with no input from MITA in reaction to their perception that bidders continue to inappropriately bid those items. MDOT believes
Legislative

March Legislative Update

MITA Protects $2.5 Million of Road Dollars from Being Diverted in Alternative Fuels Plan Legislation designed to promote greater alternative fuel use recently passed the House of Representatives. The legislation offers up to $2.5 million in tax reductions for anyone purchasing E85 (ethanol) fuel or bio-diesel. Bill sponsors believe a
Legislative

Criminal Background Checks

“Criminal history” is an ugly phrase. In 2005, lawmakers passed legislation requiring school districts to perform criminal history checks on those individuals who regularly and continuously work under contract at a school. The intent of this law was to require criminal background checks only on employees working directly with pupils
Labor

Teamster Wage & Fringe Adjustment Effective 4/01/06 UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION ONLY

Please see the following pdf document regarding the Teamster Wage & Fringe Adjustment effective 4/01/06 for UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION ONLY! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bob Patzer at MITA by calling (517) 347-8336 or via email at bobpatzer@mi-ita.com.   Adjustment to Underground Teamsters 2-27-06.pdf
Legislative

State Transportation Funding Initiative

The MITA State Transportation Funding Initiative is now up and running at full speed. The initiative, that has been named the Drive MI Campaign, is a three-prong effort, which will ultimately push for a comprehensive increase in Michigan’s overall transportation investment strategy. The three components to this initiative include: Fundraising
Legislative

February Legislative Update

2006-07 Budget Debate Begins Recently, Governor Jennifer Granholm introduced her 2006-07 Executive Budget Proposal, which included the MDOT Transportation Budget. This budget proposal includes an increase in the road and bridge program due to increased federal funding and a significant number of projects from the Jobs Today Initiative ($418 million
Legal

Adverse Ruling on Differing Site Condition Claim

On December 20, 2005, the Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Triangle Excavating Company, Inc. v. Covert Township, rejecting a DSC claim due to lack of written notice and refusing to consider constructive notice. The opinion, thankfully, was unpublished and thus is merely “persuasive authority” which a trial court
Legislative

Governor to be Keynote Speaker at MITA’s Annual Conference

Governor Granholm will be attending the MITA Annual Conference on Friday, January 20, and will address the group at the luncheon beginning at 12:00 noon in the Saginaw Chippewa Ballroom at the Soaring Eagle Casino. The Governor’s 2006 State of the State Address is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25 at
Legislative

Truck Bills To Go Into Effect 1/1/06

On November 29, 2004, Governor Granholm signed into law House Bill 4358. This piece of legislation will become effective on January 1, 2006. The new law allows a driver to rebalance the lift-axles making a turn or merge before being weighed. The definition of a “misload” is recognized and puts
Legislative

Governor Signs Sewer Bill and other Legislative News

Governor Signs Sewer Grant Bill MITA is extremely encouraged by the Governor signing into law a package of bills that will result in more sewer work throughout the state and thus help to improve the condition of Michigan’s aging sewer infrastructure systems. The package of bills will expand the allowable
Legislative

New Legislative Action Center

In our constant effort to keep you up-to-date and involved in the current legislative events and issues that affect your industry, we have added another informational source and feature to our web site. Legislative Action Center “Capwiz” is a link on our legislative page that provides grassroots advocacy products and
Legislative

Executive Summary – Future Highway and Public Transportation Finance

Please view the report (summary), which was commissioned by the National Chamber Foundation (a division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce). This report suggests that the Federal Highway Trust Fund could become insolvent by 2008. You will find this to be interesting reading and fodder for our effort here at