Downriver Today

State Representative Jamie Thompson has voiced concerns over potential changes to regional mass transit policies in Wayne County. The changes, proposed by Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, aim to modify a state law that currently allows municipalities to opt out of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART).

Thompson represents several communities in the Michigan House, including Brownstown Township, Flat Rock, Rockwood, and Woodhaven. These areas are among 17 Wayne County municipalities that have chosen not to participate in SMART.

“These opt out decisions have been made carefully by local officials in these communities with input from people in those communities,” Thompson stated. “Why would we toss that in the garbage? People I represent are struggling every day with their budgets. They have a hard enough time right now paying for things they actually do want. This move would pave the way for a tax grab that will help other poorly managed areas of Wayne County pay for transit and force an unwanted bus system onto people who don’t want it and likely won’t use it.”

The proposed legislative change could lead to county-wide mass transit being placed on future ballots without individual community input. Currently, bus operations are funded through property tax millages.

“People have already been nickel and dimed enough by Democrat majorities in the Legislature,” Thompson remarked. “People have seen a pay cut through a state income tax increase. Small business owners have seen costs rise due to increased regulation, with those costs ultimately getting passed down to consumers. This would be yet another attempt to make hardworking taxpayers across our communities foot a bill for a big government project, and that’s a huge concern.”