LANSING – Governor Rick Snyder on Wednesday signed into law bills that would create a regional transit authority for Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Washtenaw counties, as well as legislation that would create the Detroit Lighting Authority to fix the tens of thousands of lights in need of repair or replacement in and around the city.

“Today we are ushering the region into a new era,” Snyder said in a statement. “Metro Detroit, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties, is home to nearly half of Michigan’s population. Connecting people with safe, reliable and efficient transit will be instrumental to our ongoing economic comeback. It will provide opportunities for job providers, working families and our young people.”

The transit package, SB 909 (PA 387), SB 911 (PA 388), SB 912 (PA 389), SB 967 (PA 390) and SB 445 (PA 391), sets up the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority in the counties to integrate all modes of public transportation under one authority; provides local control in the authority’s decision making and finances; and asks voters to approve a vehicle registration fee to support transit within the region. One of the bills also provides a right-of-way lane for public transit, and another a streamlined mechanism for managing funding between the Department of Transportation and the authority.

“Both the Regional Transit and Public Lighting legislation are major initiatives within my Restructuring Plan for transforming Detroit,” Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said in a statement. “I am extremely pleased with the votes of approval by the legislative body on these two actions, which will lead to improved services for our citizens.”

Snyder also gave his signature of approval to HB 5688 (PA 392), HB 5705 (PA 393) and SB 970 (PA 394), which will create a Detroit Lighting Authority, a board to oversee the authority, and a funding mechanism by which to create it.

“It’s simply unacceptable that much of Detroit’s light fixtures don’t work,” Mr. Snyder said. “This is a long-overdue solution that will get those lights turned back on while maintaining local control and protecting taxpayers, which is important.”

The authority – a major point of contention in reaching an agreement on the package – will consist of two members appointed by the Detroit City Council, two appointed by Bing and one chosen by the council from a list prepared by the mayor. Detroit utility taxes will be used to pay back bonds to fund the repairs.

EASTERN MARKET: The governor also signed HB 5926 (PA 395), which allows nonprofit organizations like Detroit’s Eastern Market the ability to apply for grants and loans under the Community Revitalization Program, the governor’s office said.

RED WINGS ARENA: The controversial HB 5463 (PA 396) was also signed by Snyder, allowing the Detroit Downtown Development Authority to continue receiving funds to support a proposed $650 million investment project by Olympia Entertainment, which is owned by Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and family. In addition to the new arena for the Red Wings, it is also expected the project will bring residential, office and retail space and have an expected total economic impact of $1 billion in the state.

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