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House Approves Amendment To Ban Bridge Spending

Detroit's Ambassador Bridge.
WKAR File Photo
Detroit's Ambassador Bridge.

A state House committee has approved a budget amendment that would forbid spending public dollars on a new international bridge in Detroit. The action comes as Governor Rick Snyder appears ready to announce a deal with Canadian officials to move ahead with the project without legislative approval.

The governor will not publicly disclose details – or even whether an announcement is imminent. At the same time, he says he anticipates efforts to try to stop the project.

“I’m fairly confident I’ll get sued and sued and sued, but we will prevail, prevail, and prevail,” Snyder says.

The governor is expected to announce on Friday a public-private economic development fund will take the lead in making agreements with Detroit and Canada on a second international border crossing in Detroit.

The governor says no Michigan taxpayer dollars will be expended on the project. The costs will be paid by Canada and a private developer. They would recoup their costs from tolls. 

 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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