Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on May 7, 2003, to strike out a provision of the law which would transfer the Mackinac Bridge to the state from the Mackinac Bridge Authority after its debts are paid, and, within two months, require the authority to hold public hearings to investigate the feasibility of reducing toll rates increases. The tolls were recently increased for all vehicles. The toll for passenger cars went from $1.50 to $2.50. The bill is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 4627 to 4631, which is designed to roll back the fee increase

The vote was 33 in favor, 5 opposed and 0 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 240 at Senate Journal 60)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Tobocman, 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 no on SB 464. At a time when the state is struggling to repair its crumbling roads, this bill and the others in the Mackinac Bridge bill package would take more than $5 million away from repairing Michigan's roads and bridges. Further, the bills in this package would forgive a combined debt of over $65 million owed to the state in restricted funds that are used to fix our roads."

Rep. Hopgood, 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 no on SB 464, HB 4627, and HB 4631. At a time when the state is struggling to repair its crumbling roads, this bill and the others in the Mackinac Bridge bill package would take more than $5 million away from repairing Michigan's roads and bridges. Further, the bills in this package would forgive a combined debt of over $65 million owed to the state in restricted funds that are used to fix our roads."