Road Funding
Whitmer calls for action on roads, preserving Michigan’s auto industry (The Detroit News, 1/15/25)
The Cost of Crumbling Roads in Michigan—What’s Next? (WRIF 101, 1/15/25)
Road funding a top priority for Michigan Republicans in upcoming state budget (MLive, 1/14/25) ATTACHED
Governor Whitmer calls for bipartisan action to tackle Michigan’s infrastructure crisis (NBC 25/FOX 66, 1/15/25)
- MITA Mention: The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association reports a $3.9 billion funding shortfall, which threatens thousands of construction jobs. Rob Coppersmith, the association’s executive vice president, described the situation as a “crisis mode.”
Where Michigan Republicans plan to find $3.14B for road repairs (MLive, 1/16/25) ATTACHED
- MITA Mention: Rob Coppersmith, Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA) executive vice president, applauded the plan and said it would help get Michigan on the right track.
Coppersmith noted that recent progress to fix roads would be lost if state leaders don’t invest more in roads with the expiration of short-term state and federal funding programs on the horizon.
“If we fail to act on funding and fixing Michigan’s roads now, we will go backward,” he said in a prepared statement. “Do we want safe and reliable infrastructure to get to work, school and vacation? Or do we want our roads and bridges to continue to deteriorate?”
Hall lays out $3.1B road funding plan redirecting gas taxes and axing MEGA credits (Michigan Advance, 1/16/25)
- MITA Mention: Whitmer’s comments were noted by Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, a trade group representing Michigan companies involved in road and bridge construction.
While praising Hall as “leading the way in the Capitol” with a plan to help fund and fix Michigan’s roads, which he said have been underfunded for decades, Coppersmith said cooperation would be key to crafting solutions.
“The progress we’ve made in recent years from the governor’s bonding plan and the boost in federal infrastructure funds will be lost if Michigan’s leaders fail to act soon,” he said. “If we fail to act on funding and fixing Michigan’s roads now, we will go backward. After all, this is a quality-of-life issue. Do we want safe and reliable infrastructure to get to work, school, and vacation? Or do we want our roads and bridges to continue to deteriorate?”
GOP lays out $3.1B Michigan road plan (Iron Mountain Daily News, 1/17/25)
- MITA Mention: Whitmer’s comments were noted by Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, a trade group representing Michigan companies involved in road and bridge construction.
While praising Hall as “leading the way in the Capitol” with a plan to help fund and fix Michigan’s roads, which he said have been underfunded for decades, Coppersmith said cooperation would be key to crafting solutions. [MORE IN STORY]
‘Michigan’s economy is on the line,’ Gretchen Whitmer warns at Detroit Auto Show (Bridge Michigan, 1/15/25)
Roadmap for Michigan shared by Gov. Whitmer in “Road Ahead” address (FOX 17, 1/15/25)
Republicans Bristle At Whitmer’s ‘Road Ahead’ Address, Despite Her Calls For Road Funding Negotiations (Gongwer, 1/15/25) ATTACHED
Hall’s Second Road Funding Proposal Won’t Raise Revenue, As Whitmer Asks (MIRS, 1/16/25) ATTACHED
Hall Ready To Get To The Details Of Road Funding (Gongwer, 1/16/25) ATTACHED
Michigan Politics
At U of M, Buttigieg talks infrastructure, misinformation and political cynicism (Michigan Advance, 1/14/25)
Who’s running for MI governor in 2026: Senate GOP Leader Aric Nesbitt jumps in (Bridge Michigan, 1/14/25)
Bollin To Chair House Approps; Hall Picks Farhat For Minority Vice Chair Over Puri’s Choice (Gongwer, 1/14/25) ATTACHED
Who funds Michigan lawmakers? Most get cash from PACs, not voters they represent (Bridge Detroit, 1/15/25)
- MITA Mention: State Rep. Sarah Lightner, a Springport Republican who coasted to reelection last year, raised 94% of her campaign funds from PACs, including the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, which advocates for road funding, and committees associated with businesses like Comcast and DOW Inc.
