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• Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on June 7, 2011, to authorize the creation of a new state authority to build a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor (the “Detroit River International Crossing” or “New International Trade Crossing,” a.k.a. “DRIC” or “NITC”). The authority would be authorized to enter an agreement with a private concessionaire and the province of Ontario to build and operate the bridge. It would have the power to borrow, but under the proposed statute its debt would not constitute “a general or moral obligation of this state.” Note: Although the bill clearly intends no state liability for this debt and does not authorize any, a future legislature could always change that, subject to the same political accountability as the current legislature. The same warning applies to existing roads or bridges currently owned by private persons if they get into trouble.
  • Referred to the Senate Economic Development Committee on June 7, 2011.