2012 Senate Bill 1302

Create state borrow-and-spend “port authority”

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 20, 2012

Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R-15)

To create a “Michigan Port Authority” empowered to borrow-and-spend for practically anything the political appointees on its governing board choose if they assert it would “enhance . . . transportation, economic development, housing, recreation, education, governmental operations, culture, or research.” The term “economic development” in this context refers to selective direct or indirect subsidies or benefits given to particular corporations or developers picked by the political appointees on the authority’s board. The bill is cosponsored by Republican Senators Casperson, Nofs, Colbeck and Green.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation