Things are about to get a lot worse for those of us who travel the roads of Livingston County -- which is just about everybody who lives here.
Our county's road budget -- already grossly inadequate -- will shrink next year by a third -- to $15.1 million, according to the Livingston Press and Argus.
The Livingston County Road Commission projects that federal funds will plunge from $5.4 million to $1.1 million next year. State funds are dwindling as the gas tax brings in less revenue due to more efficient vehicles and fewer miles being driven.
A federal stimulus package, which President-elect Barack Obama is asking for, is the only hope for keeping Livingston County from falling further and further behind. Our county already ranks 16th among Michigan's 83 counties in the miles of roads that are in poor condition.
If you think the current road budget is inadequate, make it a point to visit the Livingston County Road Commission's public hearing on its 2009 budget on Thursday (Dec. 11, 2008) to ask them to request that Livingston County's needs be addressed in the federal stimulus package. The hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. at the road commission's office, 3535 Grand Oaks Drive, Genoa Township.
We need to let our leaders in Washington and Lansing know that Livingston County has serious needs. Unfortunately, Republican Mike Rogers is out of the loop on the writing of the legislation since he is in the minority. The same with our state Reps. Cindy Denby and Bill Rogers.
This will take a bipartisan effort. Local Democrats are willing to help.
No comments:
Post a Comment