Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on May 6, 2003, to appropriate $5.25 million annually from the State Trunkline Fund (which pays for state highway construction and maintenance projects) to the Mackinac Bridge Authority to subsidize tolls on the bridge. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4627 to 4631, which is designed to reduce the need for a recent fee increase imposed by the Authority

The vote was 56 in favor, 53 opposed and 1 not voting

(House Roll Call 421 at House Journal 59)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Bieda, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted against House Bill 4631 because it diverts state road and bridge funds to the operation of the bridge, and because of a concern that this action would negatively impact on the State of Michigan's bond rating."

Rep. Jamnick, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

HB 4631 amends the Michigan Transportation Fund Act to require at least $5.25 million dollars be appropriated annually from the State Trunkline Fund to the Mackinac Bridge Authority. We have just previously voted on a bill to forgive the Authority's debt for the construction of the bridge itself without appropriate financial information available. I believe it is fiscally irresponsible in one action to forgive a debt and then authorize a subsidy of bridge tolls."