Petition Drive Would Require Mich. Voters to Decide Bridge to Canada; Bridge Co. says, “The People Should Decide”

DETROIT, MI – Language has been presented to the State Board of Canvassers that would authorize a petition drive to place a requirement that voters decide prior to a bridge being built between Canada and Michigan. This would come before voters in Michigan in November. The Detroit International Bridge Company is supporting the initiative to form a Ballot Committee called The People Should Decide. The Ballot Committee is being established because projects of this importance and cost should be decided by the people of Michigan.

Specifically the proposal states that, “The People should decide whether state government may construct or finance new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles. Consistent with this policy, and to shield the people from unnecessary burdens, the State shall not undertake ownership and the development of or use of State funds or resources for new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles unless first determined to be necessary and appropriate by majority vote of the people.”

Since state taxpayers will assume the liability for any debt incurred by the building of a new international crossing, the Committee maintains that approval by the taxpayers through a full vote of the people should be required. If the petition language is approved, the People Should Decide Committee will circulate the petitions across the state of Michigan for voters recommendation to place the issue on the November ballot. A petition drive must collect nearly 325,000 signatures to get the question on the ballot in November.

With regard to bridges, history shows the voters are perfectly suited to decide about bridges. After all, the Ambassador Bridge was introduced as a private sector proposal in 1927 and voted in a ballot referendum. Funding the Mackinac Bridge also received Constitutional approval to pay for the project. The People Should Decide Committee believes Michigan citizens are the best barometer on whether government needs to be involved in an international bridge since they are the ones who would be on the hook, it should be a requirement that the people have a vote.

“Michigan voters should determine the priorities of where the State invests resources,” said Matthew Moroun. “We believe such a decision should require the vote of the people.“

The People Should Decide Committee is in the formative stages and will be under the direction of Mickey Blashfield and Jennifer Dennis. For more information visit ThePeopleShouldDecide.com or email at info@ThePeopleShouldDecide.com

About the Detroit International Bridge Co.
The Detroit International Bridge Co., based in Warren, Mich., owns and operates the Ambassador Bridge linking the United States and Canada near downtown Detroit since 1929. Privately owned and built with private funds, the Ambassador Bridge is the busiest international border crossing in North America, with about 4.2 million cars and 2.3 million trucks using the bridge in 2009. DIBC employs 300 people in the United States and Canada, and actively supports a wide variety of community organizations, charities and universities. For more information, visit www.ambassadorbridge.com.