The American Recovery Act apparently pencils in at least 11 billion dollars for the state of Michigan and its local government. As I understand it, some of those funds are earmarked for infastructure investments.
Who will decide how those funds are spent? Will it be the legislature or the governor? Will the lobbyists for NS and CN have a say? Do the Michigan shortlines have a powerful array of lobbyists to defend their needs? Will there be a
sensible effort to establish commuter service for a rapidly developing Detroit or for Detroit to Grand Rapids rail service? Will there be a push to use some of the federal funds to expand street car service in Detroit?
There is a substantial pot of federal money here. Will it be spent intelligently to improve the quality of life for those of us who live in Michigan?