The state’s “rainy day” savings fund could get tapped to pay for emergency harbor dredging.
That’s if a group of Republican state Senators has its way.
The Michigan Public Radio Network's Jake Neher has more.
With water levels at record lows, the group says the Great Lakes could use a rainy day.
It wants to open 30 million dollars in state savings for emergency dredging.
The Senators say the fund is meant for emergencies, and low water levels are clearly causing one for the state’s shipping industry.
State Senator John Pappageorge says barges carrying fuel to Michigan aren’t able to bring full loads.
“That means more trips and higher gas prices," he says. "All of us have a stake in doing something about our dredging issue.”
Governor Rick Snyder included more than 20 million dollars for emergency harbor dredging in his proposed budget. That money would not come from the state’s savings account.