By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (MPRN) - The state Senate passed a package of bills yesterday designed to hand control of Cobo Hall to a regional authority, rather than the city of Detroit.
Senate Democrats voted against the package. The legislation would allow for nearly $300 million in tax revenue to be used to at another convention center in Southeast Michigan, if an agreement on how to renovate Cobo cannot be reached.
The measures were rejected by Detroit City Council when Ken Cockrel became interim mayor. But with Dave Bing as mayor and Ken Cockrel back as city council president, the Cobo discussion is renewed. The debate follows lawmakers to Mackinac Island where they will join business leaders for a policy conference.