Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

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  • The Ambassador Bridge, spanning the Detroit River and linking the U.S. and Canada, is seen from Detroit. The Associated Press

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June 14, 2012

Funding for new bridge blocked

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LANSING (AP) — Michigan Republican House lawmakers on Wednesday attempted to block the governor from spending state money to build another bridge across the Detroit River.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a supplemental budget that would prohibit using state money unless the Legislature authorizes construction of the bridge.

"It's a basic rule — it's constitutional. The Legislature has the right to appropriate funds," said Grandville Republican Rep. Dave Agema, who amended the supplemental budget proposal. "My goal is to stop spending money we didn't authorize." Gov. Rick Snyder has met with Canadian officials and seeks to collaborate with that country to build a span that would supplement the privately owned Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor. Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun has fiercely battled the proposal. He seeks to add a span to his own bridge instead.

A spokesman for the Detroit International Bridge Co., which operates the Ambassador Bridge, said officials there had no comment Wednesday on the move by the House committee.

Snyder's spokeswoman Sara Wurfel told The Associated Press by email that administration officials "have been clear all along that Michigan taxpayers would not pay for this bridge." She said no money has been appropriated for the bridge in the new budget.

The Republican governor has said he hoped the GOP-led House and Senate would back the bridge plan but began pursuing other options after failing to get legislation through the Senate. He said the state constitution includes Canada as a potential party to a so-called interlocal agreement.

The Canadian government has offered to pick up the cost to build Michigan's bridge plaza, getting repaid through future toll revenues and not leaving state taxpayers liable even if tolls don't fully cover the cost.

The House bill overall cuts $168.9 million from the state's general fund from the current year budget. Agema said he doesn't know if the moves would block the agreement with Canada but if does "it probably shouldn't be entered into" in the first place.

The bridge itself would be built and operated by a private company through bids.

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