Mr. President, I know that everyone in this chamber agrees that our roads are in desperate need of repair. Last year, I spoke before this body about the need for a comprehensive transportation plan that prioritizes fixing our local roads and bridges in a way that addresses the needs of all of our Michigan families in all of our geographic locations, not just the high population locations, but critically important regions like the Upper Peninsula and the towns and villages that dot the map throughout northern Michigan. It seems we are actually making some progress on some of our MDOT roads, but let’s not forget that most of the real problems can be found in our local roads, which counties and townships simply do not have the resources to address.
We also have desperate needs to keep our critically important industries, not the least of which is our logging and timber industry which is in serious need of additional Category E funding for seasonal roads that has not been increased since the 1980s. So, we still have some more work to do in this budget and I hope some of these ideas and some of the ideas proposed in the amendments today will be considered as the final budget is crafted. That said, I will be supporting this budget today as a solid first step, and appreciate the chair’s commitment to work together on this budget, but hope we can continue to make improvements to help better serve all of the people of this great state.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 768, entitled
A bill to make appropriations for the department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
Senator Lindsey offered the following amendment:
1. Amend page 18, line 19, after “$” by striking out “83,000,000.00” and inserting “3,000,000.00”.
The question being on the adoption of the amendment,
Senator Lauwers requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows: