Senators Gilbert, Johnson, Patterson, George, Garcia, Cropsey, Van Woerkom, Sanborn, Schauer, Goschka, Brown, Jelinek and Cassis offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to establish a minimum rate of return of 95 percent of Michigan’s federal transportation funding for highway and transit programs.

            Whereas, Michigan faces a difficult task in maintaining a transportation network that meets the many needs of the individuals and businesses of this state.  This challenge is made more difficult because of the fact that Michigan receives in return from the federal government far less in highway funding than we send to Washington; and

            Whereas, Under the provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Michigan currently receives approximately 90.5 cents in return for every highway dollar we send to the federal government.  While this is a notable improvement from the amounts received in prior years, it remains inadequate for our state’s considerable overall transportation needs.  In the area of transit, the deficiency of funding received from Washington is much more severe, with Michigan receiving only about 50 cents for each dollar we send through taxes; and

            Whereas, This shortfall will present significant problems to certain aspects of our transportation infrastructure.  As discussions take place on future funding mechanisms and the next federal transportation funding bill, it is imperative that a fairer approach be developed; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to establish a minimum rate of return of 95 percent of Michigan’s federal transportation funding for highway and transit programs; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.