By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Discussion ranging from international trade wars to local mental health care were presented Monday, March 12, as part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meeting. But those spring pot-hole problems took center stage early.
State Sen. Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, and state representatives Tommy Brann and Steven Johnson — all of whom represent parts of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood — discussed the state’s present and future spending on the state’s roadways.
A road funding plan passed by the Michigan Legislature in 2015 included an increase in gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to raise $1.2 billion for roads. And while those funds will be spent in yearly portions spread over six years as the gas tax is phased in and contractor schedules allow, the Legislature also recently passed an additional $175 million in road funding for the upcoming construction season, with part of that money due to flow to local counties and cities.
“We are trying to address the issue,” Sen. Schuitmaker told the various government officials at the meeting.
But, talking about the flow of state funds to local governments, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley expressed concern about the “long-term viability” of such state funding commitments.
A more detailed discussion on the issue, along with discussion on other issues such as the state’s response to the federal tax cuts, changes to voter registration procedures and funding problems with Kent County’s mental health programs, were part of the latest Government Matters meeting.
The monthly meeting brings together government leaders of all levels to discuss issues of importance and presents those discussions through WKTV’s live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts.
The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other regional, State of Michigan and Federal elected officials. The next meeting will be April 9 at Kentwood City Hall.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktvondemand.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.
