Michigan

In a sharp challenge to the state Legislature’s resistance to funding public transportation, citizens in 13 Michigan counties voted overwhelmingly for either continued or increased local property taxes for their bus systems. Most of the millages passed earlier this month by landslides, but the Legislature continues to consider drastic cuts in state transit funding, as well as bills that would destabilize public transit policy making. Transit advocates are most critical of bills from State Senator Shirley Johnson, chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.