Michigan did not use stimulus funds most effectively

[professorscott]

This is a structural problem in Michigan. We are stuck in the 1950s in our transportation thinking - not everyone, but enough of our transportation and planning professionals to cause a huge problem.

We think the solution to every transportation problem is more and bigger roads, and we are willing to spend unlimited sums of money on massive projects like M-59 and M-53 in Macomb County; but then whenever someone proposes spending a small amount on transit, the chorus of "but however shall we pay for it?" arises.

We will never improve as a state until our professional class moves at least into the late 20th Century. The 21st may be too much to hope for. But I don't see any movement in this direction. It's why we're failing: we still think it's 1956, but it's not.

[DetroitDad]

I agree, but I'm also thinking road maintenance may be necessary to keep us stable during the transition.

This is a structural problem in Michigan. We are stuck in the 1950s in our transportation thinking - not everyone, but enough of our transportation and planning professionals to cause a huge problem.

We think the solution to every transportation problem is more and bigger roads, and we are willing to spend unlimited sums of money on massive projects like M-59 and M-53 in Macomb County; but then whenever someone proposes spending a small amount on transit, the chorus of "but however shall we pay for it?" arises.

We will never improve as a state until our professional class moves at least into the late 20th Century. The 21st may be too much to hope for. But I don't see any movement in this direction. It's why we're failing: we still think it's 1956, but it's not.

[kraig]

The biggest problem was that Jennifer Granholm hijacked the stimulus money that was intended for local municipalities. That's why pretty much nothing was done.