Momma always said to be careful what you wish for.

Case in point: The Republican-led Senate Appropriations Committee has devised a way to come up with the $85 million Michigan needs to qualify for $475 million in federal matching transportation funds.

Unfortunately, the plan isn’t built on desperately needed new revenue. It’s built entirely on harmful cuts:

* Welcome Center funding was cut in half.  Savings:  $2.5 million.

Tourists being lured to the state by Pure Michigan ads will find orange “closed” signs on half of Michigan’s Welcome Centers. What a warm welcome.

* Economic development funds used for infrastructure upgrades were slashed. Savings: $27 million.

The Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) cuts would cripple a key economic development tool that provides infrastructure upgrades to lure new businesses to Michigan.  In many cases, these dollars could be used to match federal aid.

* Snowplowing and highway mowing dollars were gutted.  Savings:  $48 million.

Michigan tourists are likely to see six feet tall grass in the highway medians by the end of summer.  To ensure normal snow removal on interstates this winter, plowing will be significantly reduced or eliminated on most non-freeway state trunklines as will weekend snow removal. Without adequate snow removal, schools are forced to shut down and the economy comes to a screeching halt when people can’t leave their homes.  Let’s cross our fingers for a mild winter.

* A multitude of transit services and programs were slashed.  Savings: Approx $7 million.

Let’s face it: the people who rely on transit services are also likely the hardest hit from the economic downturn.  By cutting money for programs like Transportation to Work/Work First, the state is making it even more difficult for people to get to work, attend school or contribute to the state’s economy.
 
The Senate is making no effort to help counties, cities and villages match their federal aid requirements. Information previously published from the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) reports as many as 21 counties in jeopardy of losing their federal matching dollars. There is no effort to help capture more than $30 million in federal transit dollars that will be sent to other states.

The Legislature is facing some very difficult budget decisions, but cutting these funds will move Michigan’s transportation system backward. Inaction on transportation funding has caught up with legislators, and instead of providing a stable source of revenue, policymakers are imposing dramatic cuts –only to harm economic development and cost taxpayers more in the long run.