LANSING – Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township) today applauded the recent signing of legislation that will keep two key Amtrak routes running through the summer and move forward two capital outlay projects at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and Washtenaw Community College (WCC). With unemployment climbing over 14 percent in Michigan, Byrnes reiterated the importance of construction projects that keep workers on the job and the benefits of a quality transportation infrastructure to Michigan's economy.
"Transportation is key to attracting and retaining our brightest young people," Byrnes said. "Businesses look to locate their operations where there is a talented, mobile workforce – Amtrak plays a key role in this process. Failing to invest in transportation sends the wrong message to businesses and will ultimately cost us jobs. In this economy, we can't afford any more job losses."
The legislation provides $400,000 for Amtrak to maintain the Pere Marquette and Blue Water routes, which operate from Grand Rapids to Chicago and Port Huron to Chicago, respectively.
It also allows for work to begin on capital outlay projects at institutions of higher education across the state, including EMU. At EMU, the project consists of renovations to the Pray-Harrold building that will include replacing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in the seven-story structure. At WCC, the bill is another step forward in the skilled trades training complex renovation project.
"With so many hard-working families struggling to make ends meet, it's important to start these projects and
help people stay on the job," Byrnes said. "Investing in our educational institutions will not only keep workers
employed on site, it will help our schools prepare students to compete for and secure the good-paying, high tech jobs of
the 21st century. An educated workforce is key to attracting job providers in these new technologies."