Deal would make way for funding of Detroit-Ann Arbor transit

An agreement struck between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican legislative leaders would put local funding for light rail and other mass transit between Detroit and Ann Arbor back on track.

According to the story:

The agreement breaks a political logjam and will allow for a to-be-created Southeast Michigan transit authority, and others in Michigan, to levy property taxes for up to 25 years to provide a federally required local funding source to operate projects like light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit.

Past bills gave that funding mechanism only to Grand Rapids, prompting dispute over why just one area of the state should benefit, and concern that the exclusionary measure would threaten the future of a Southeast Michigan light-rail system or other options under study.

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