Ypsilanti voters favor public transportation millage, but issue to be decided in November
Ypsilanti voters approved a charter amendment by a wide margin that would provide a dedicated source of funding for public transportation in the city.Â
But they need to replicate that in November.
The issue appeared on Tuesday's ballot but didn't count because Attorney General Mike Cox’s office said charter amendments can't be listed on primary ballots, and the ballot language was 102 words, while the maximum length was 100.
Despite that, those involved in the effort were eager to see the results to gauge how voters may lean in November. The measure passed with 70 percent approving it.
“This is a major victory for public transit and the city of Ypsilanti,” said Richard Murphy, co-chair of Keep Ypsi Rollin'. “Our committee is proud of the stance our voters took today. We will work to pass it just as strongly when the valid vote occurs in the general election on November 2."
The proposal would restore the city’s ability to capture 20 mills instead of the 19.0211 maximum allowed per the Headlee Amendment. That would equate to an additional $281,000 for public transportation in 2011, which now comes out of the general fund.
Residents whose homes have a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $97.89 more annually.
Comments
Mark
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 3:52 p.m.
The mention of Mike Cox, rather than plainly stating that charter amendments must be on the general election ballot as per state law seems to belie a bias on your part, Tom. I honestly have no idea why Mike Cox needed to be mentioned by name. Any attorney general would have done what he did.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
Not only do businesses consider the availability of public transportation but people who are deciding where to live consider such things too. I chose to buy a house in the city rather than the township because of the availability of public transportation. I did this knowing that the taxes are higher in the city.
Drew
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
When companies are looking to relocate or are just starting out they activly look for areas with good public transit
gibby76
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
"Oh wait, I forgot, we have one standard for automobiles (massive subsidies) and an entirely different standard for public transportation (screw the poor, make them pay for it themselves)." You hit the nail on the head with the fact of the automobile industry controlling most aspects of life in southeast michigan. BUT, this is a move to get the ball rolling on redesigning and developing the area's infrastructure so it's more walkable and where not, mass transit can fill in the gaps. Get real people, you really like paying 30 bucks or more for gas? I guarantee that will only grow if we don't get rid of our oil dependencies. better that money go to taxes then making oil companies richer. and the poor will be better off when everything is in place.
foobar417
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 11:53 a.m.
Why don't MDOT, Washtenaw County Road Commission, and city road departments cut their expenses like any other private business? How about people that drive cars pay enough taxes to actually cover the costs of the roads they drive on? Oh wait, I forgot, we have one standard for automobiles (massive subsidies) and an entirely different standard for public transportation (screw the poor, make them pay for it themselves).
Forest City
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
First off, it was pure incompetence that the Headlee tax override for bussing went on the ballot. But that's what you get with one party rule. Secondly, if I'm going to vote to raise taxes above the legal limit, it's going to be for police or fire, not bussing. Why do we need to pay for more bussing? Because one government entity (AATA) wants to charge another government entity (City of Ypsilanti)more money. How about rather than have two units of government fight over spending our money, we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH? How about people that use the bus, pay for it themselves? Why doesn't AATA cut their expenses like any private business?
AndyYpsilanti
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 9:42 a.m.
Martin, what Ypsilanti do you live in? I live in the Ypsilanti where public transit is the ONLY thing keeping hundreds of residents employed, residents who will never see a $600-every-two-weeks pay check, let alone an unemployment check. Public transit is far from worthless, and it'n not robing Americans of jobs, it's helping hundreds of local residents keep their jobs by allowing them to get to work with out the massive expense of a car.
katie
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:50 a.m.
I'm glad to see this support for public transportation. I hope it wins with broad support in November.
Martin Church
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:45 a.m.
Great Not onlym I lossing my job (my plant is being sold and jobs shipped to other cities), I may have to pay more taxes from my meger income(Unemployment is only $600 for two weeks). I guess, the voters of this city love to give away money to worthless investments. And I will have to consider moving
MGoYpsi
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:24 a.m.
Great, more taxes.