In October 2018, legislation was passed and signed into law that allowed for green safety lights to be installed on construction vehicles that are engaged in authorized highway repair or maintenance. Studies have shown that green lights can be seen more effectively and are therefore safer. State, county and local officials have been able to […]
Attorney General Nessel Rules Line 5 Tunnel Law Unconstitutional
Attorney General Dana Nessel opined today that the law that established the Line 5 tunnel passed in late 2018 was ultimately unconstitutional and any advancements of a tunnel to house Line 5 should stop immediately. In response, Governor Whitmer instructed each state department using resources towards a tunnel through the Straits of Mackinac to halt […]
TRIP Releases 2019 Report with Series of Press Events Across Michigan
The 2019 TRIP (The Road Information Program) Report was officially released today! MITA coordinated press events in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Lansing to roll out the report to the media. Collaborating with TRIP staff, MDOT, the Michigan Municipal League, the Grand Rapids Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber and the County Road Association, […]
Governor Whitmer Proposes 45-cent Gas Tax Increase In Budget
On Tuesday, March 5, Governor Whitmer made her first budget presentation to the state legislature. During her presentation, she boldly proposed increasing the gas tax to 45-cents per gallon in an effort to raise the more than $2.5 billion needed annually to stop the rapid decline of Michigan’s roads. The following details are from Gongwer […]
Infrastructure Major Focus in Governor Whitmer’s First State of the State Address
Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her first State of the State address on Tuesday and infrastructure was the topic she discussed the most. Just as she did on the campaign trail, Governor Whitmer expressed an urgency to finding a long term, sustainable solution for our crumbling roads and bridges. Playing on her campaign slogan to “Fix The Damn […]
Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Requirements
Legislation was passed in late 2018 that requires certain employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. The law was not given immediate effect, which means it will go into effect 90 days after the last day of the 2018 legislative session, which is March 29, 2019. Although this will mean new requirements for many MITA […]
Historic Lame Duck Session Includes More Money For Roads
This year’s lame duck session saw more bills passed than any previous lame duck period in Michigan’s history. As the state prepares to swear in a new Governor on January 1st, Republicans in the legislature feverishly passed legislation that has been on their wish lists for years, before the new Democratic governor can stop any of […]
2018 Lame Duck Legislative Update
Paid Sick Time Legislation Moves In Lame Duck The bi-annual ‘lame duck’ session began in the legislature this week. Every two years between Election Day and the end of the year when new lawmakers are sworn into office, current legislators scramble to pass last minute legislation. The term “lame duck” refers to those individuals who […]
Underground Investment Increases Coming From Washington, D.C.
A bipartisan, bicameral proposal to increase investments into our water infrastructure has passed both chambers in Congress and now heads to the President’s desk, where he is expected to give his signature of approval. The Senate recently passed 99-1 the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 with the same language as the House version that passed […]
Roads & Bridges See More Money in 2019 Budget
The state legislature finalized the 2018 – 2019 fiscal year budget this week, which begins on October 1st. As revenues were slightly higher than expected, lawmakers took the opportunity to put more money into our transportation network. A total of $330 million more will go into next year’s construction season. This is in addition to the $175 million […]
