Bordering On A Diverticulitis Pandemic

Do you think that Kirk Steudle, MDOT's new Director, has learned yet not to cross Michigan Legislators? Do you think he remembers what happened to the former Director, Gloria Jeff when she did? Will he be that foolish not to learn from her mistakes?

I was intrigued by the Star's story yesterday "Mich. ends funding for border land. Politicians want more control over decision-making process for new crossing." I was surprised that the Star finally understood what was going on.

There was no comment as before by Steve Tobocman, a Michigan Representative from the minority Democrats, telling us that nothing would happen. So much for him saying "His counterparts are about to "get informed from the other players" -- manufacturers, chambers of commerce and automakers-- -- about the economic need for a new Windsor-Detroit bridge." So much for his prediction "[the Republican action] will likely not survive the scrutiny of full legislative debate and required approval of Gov. Jennifer Granholm"

A big loser, Canada's Transport Minister "Lawrence Cannon [who] sent a June 7 letter to Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Michigan's House leaders urging them to continue with the DRIC study." They ignored him.

Poor Governor Granholm. If she vetoed the Legislature's language, she was costing the State $3.5 billion and if she did not, the Republicans will take the credit. She made the wisest move by doing what she did. The question remains: what will she do to salvage her situation. She really has no choice but to listen to the Mayor of Detroit.

The big winner, obviously Kwame Kilpatrick. He got what he wanted didn't he. The big mistakes that the Democrats and the Governor's staff made were not taking his letter to the Governor about killing DRIC seriously and mocking his Deputy at the hearing! You just do not go after him, as our Mayor has learned to his detriment. There are consequences to pay. The Republicans listened and were respectful. [Do you think that Kwame's diverticulitis may mean that he cannot campaign actively now for the Michigan Governor? If so, he will not be the only one with intestinal pains!]

The language of the Budget was a lot different than originally passed:

• (Actual amendment) Sec. 384 The department shall not, directly or indirectly, expend any funds appropriated in Part 1 for design or right of way acquisition associated with a new crossing of the Detroit River between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. "
  
  (Former language)
  Senate Bill 1097, as amended May 24, 2006: “Sec. 384. From the funds appropriated in part 1, the department shall not use any funds to support the Detroit river international crossing study or to implement any recommendation made from such study.”
  
  House Bill 5796 (H-2), as amended May 24, 2006: “Sec. 384. No funds appropriated in part 1 may be expended for the study of a new crossing of the Detroit river between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario without prior approval of the house and senate committees on transportation.”)
  

It will be fun to see if MDOT will dare spend a penny on "design" work and how they will deal with expropriations in Delray now. My belief is that MDOT is being challenged to try to defy the Legislature, knowing the Governor will not and cannot help. They are looking for someone to fire, to make an example in an election year!

Here is some background information for you. This final language, which was adopted unanimously by Republicans & Democrats as part of the State process, was much tougher than either the House or Senate passed in May as you can see from above above. It takes away the gray and indicated “directly or indirectly.”

I expect that the Legislators figured out that MDOT had already all the money they needed to do the study so changed the "study" language. Talk about MDOT arrogance! The Legislature’s inquiry was the desirability of the effort, not IF the money was available.

MDOT are able to study, but it is at their peril. It is a study that will go nowhere at a cost of millions. Poor Governor Granholm if she allows it to happen. Poor director Steudle if he allows it to happen and DeVos wins! The Michigan legislature drew a line in the sand. If MDOT is short sighted enough to spend money they have like a drunken sailor on the DRIC when they know how the Legislature feels about it, then they deserve what they get from the Legislators. (Can you imagine if Canada spends the milions to drill brine holes on our side and the Americans don't---what a waste of taxpayer money)

It's not the first time that MDOT has been reminded who calls the tune. Just a couple of years ago MDOT Director Gloria Jeff initiated her “Fix it First” campaign, which unilaterally halted 34 major transportation projects around the state. This arrogance of “MDOT knows best” landed the department in front of the Transportation Appropriations committees in numerous hearing around the state. The result was that 17 projects were restored and the remaining served as a constant reminder to elected official around the State that MDOT failed to remember where their bread was buttered.

And where is Gloria Jeff now? No longer employed in Michigan. She was never able to heal the rift with members of the Transportation and Appropriations committees.

But there is more. Isn't the Legislature saying that they do NOT want Government involved in this project? Do not design or expropriate! Well if Government cannot do it, then who can other than private enterprise. And which owner of a bridge in Detroit is in the best position to do so?

The other interesting aspect is that Michigan Legislature acted without conferring with Canada or Ontario (and it seems contrary to our wishes), just like when the Governor acted alone to kill the Downriver and Belle Isle crossings. Michigan is doing what is right for Michigan. Is that "politics" or"toying" as Eddie claimed? If so, the Legislators across the river do not care.

Our politicians do not seem to know how to act in the best interest of Ontario and Canada never mind Windsor. The Senior Levels are sitting doing nothing while Eddie talks about tunnels that will never be built. Perhaps the border file is giving our politicians diverticulitis attacks too now.