At last week’s Mackinac Policy Conference, Governor Snyder and leaders of both legislative chambers pledged $50 million in infrastructure funding to aid in the much-needed renovations of the Soo Locks. This state funding commitment is the first of its kind.
The announcement comes just weeks after President Trump voiced his support for the Soo Locks
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Michigan Legislators Introduce Soo Locks Modernization Act
Recent events at the federal level indicate that the Soo Locks Modernization Project may soon take a giant leap forward.
At this month’s Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference, members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation announced plans to introduce legislation to finance improvements to the Soo Locks. The Soo Locks Modernization Act, sponsored by Sen.…
“MiThrive” Passes the House
On April 27, 2017, the 2017 “MiThrive” legislation (Senate Bills 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115) amending the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act, Act 381 of 1996, which would allow for Transformational Brownfield Redevelopment Plans, was voted out of the House Tax Policy Committee.
The legislation was approved by the House today, May 4, 2017. Changes…
TIF on Steroids Makes a Move in the House
On February 24, 2017, a legislative summary and analysis was posted stating, “Michigan ‘TIF on Steroids’ is back” and that the fate of the 2017 legislation (Senate Bills 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115) providing for Transformational Brownfield Redevelopment Plans rested with the House Tax Policy Committee.
Yesterday, April 26, 2017, on a…
Michigan “TIF on Steroids” is Back
Michigan “TIF on Steroids” is back. Infrastructure, and the financing of it, have become hot topics both in Michigan and nationally.
On December, 1, 2016 information was contributed about legislation expanding tax increment financing pursuant to Act 381 of 1996 for large “transformational” projects. Those bills did not pass in lame duck. Almost identical legislation…
Future Bright for Soo Locks Modernization Project
For the second year in a row, Governor Rick Snyder has listed the proposed Soo Locks Modernization Project as a top priority in his State of the State address. Michigan’s top executive stated that he would urge President Donald Trump and Congress to commit to funding a second 1,000-foot lock in Sault Saint Marie. In…
Observations of Michigan’s 21st Century Infrastructure Commission Report
On December 5, 2016, Michigan’s 21st Century Infrastructure Commission[1] released its report which outlines a need for as much as $60-80 billion in funding from various sources over the next 20 years ($4 billion per year). The entire report can be viewed at the link below. This entry serves only to highlight certain aspects…
“TIF On Steroids” and Other Incentives Making Their Way Through Michigan Legislature
A group of bills (SB 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064 and 1065) have passed the Michigan State Senate and will now be taken up in the Michigan House. The amendments, affectionately called “TIF on steroids” by some, would expand current tax increment finance legislation in Act 381 of 1996 (the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act), to include…
Snyder Urges Congress to Fund Soo Lock Upgrades
Last week, Governor Snyder wrote Michigan’s congressional delegation to stress the importance of fully funding upgrades to the Soo Locks. Snyder urged Congress to replace the Davis and Sabin Locks with a single, larger lock that would provide redundancy should the Poe Lock fail. The Poe Lock is currently the only lock capable of handling…