For any international bridge crossing that does not exist as of the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, prior to releasing a request for proposals for a public-private agreement, the department shall only acquire property needed for the international bridge crossing in this state through voluntary acquisitions from willing sellers except that the department may exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire property if it gives notice to the  Legislature at least 30 days before filing condemnation proceedings.

Ahhh  oh yeah. Stuff.

But do we need such a thing?  The Detroit Chamber thinks so:
 

The Detroit Regional Chamber testified today before the House Transportation Committee in favor of legislation that would allow for public-private partnerships for construction and design of transportation projects, such as a new international bridge crossing in Metro Detroit.

A study released in February by the Michigan Department of Transportation reaffirmed the need for a second border crossing in the Detroit-Windsor corridor. House Bill 4961 was approved by the Transportation committee, and now heads to the full House for consideration.

(I am told "the "study" BTW, was heavily skewed with guesses and anecdotal considerations..  Waiting for some more information as "the study" has been taken off line. )
Continuing...

"We need to build additional infrastructure to maintain and expand our global positioning as an international destination for trade and commerce," said Sarah Hubbard, vice president of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber, who testified before the committee. "We believe public private partnerships bring new resources to our transportation infrastructure system and should be utilized for a variety of projects in Michigan, including a new bridge."

And we know what a free market leaning powerhouse THAT is...  They tend to be wrong on a number of "business related" issues, unless someone is padding a pocket or two.  Look at the City itself.  A burgeoning metropolis of new business growth... right?

Public Private partnerships..  Now why would we want such a thing?  In fact, dig a little, and you might find the term Agreement a little more accurate.  Indeed, the analysis points out:

Note that while public-private partnership (PPP) is a commonly used term, the bill refers to public-private agreements.

Oh yeah..  a "partnership" infers a level of responsibility or liability held equally by all concerned.  An agreement essentially says the taxpayer is on the hook.

So what is wrong with the existing owner building a replacement span next to the existing one?  Why would the power mongers in the state, federally, and internationally be so insistent on building a new bridge at TEN TIMES the cost, and funded through bonds that carry a liability to the taxpayers?   Why would we want to put a private business in jeopardy by creating a government operation in direct competition with that private enterprise?

Oh... I gave it away.. "power mongers.." Check.  Hard to crack the whip if it ain't in your hand, if you know what I mean.  Its all about control. And control allows payback.

And beyond all that, there are liabilities.  The $5,300,000,000 proposed cost of the bridge will never be realized by tolls anyhow.  The debt service on the bonds alone at 1% annually would be $53,000,000.   $145,200 daily.. JUST to service the debt..  And thats a big IF the cost is kept to the stated estimate.  Also IF the bond was to carry a measly 1% interest.

In the end... Who is responsible for that?  Canada? Or Michigan taxpayers?

Funny how the owners of the existing bridge have said "hey look we'll do it for only $500,0000,000 Total.  AND it wont cost a single taxpayer a dime unless they pay a toll to cross our bridge."  Strange how that doesn't seem to jibe with the current administration's plans, or those of the Detroit Chamber who have paybacks due.

I contacted my State Senator Jason Allen on this issue, because it may well come up to a vote this week or next.  He agreed, and said "there is very little the government can do better than the free market".  Indeed...  A tenth of the cost, no risk to taxpayers.. and no TAKING OUR STUFF.

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." ~ Thomas Jefferson.

Oh yeah..  here is a parting shot at our jack booted friends in Lansing and elsewhere who LIKE the health care plan modeled with Canada's wonderful system in mind.  From the same article from the Detroit chamber that I linked to earlier:

Hubbard pointed out to the committee that the Detroit/Windsor/Port Huron/Sarnia area is home to the busiest border crossing in North America in terms of volume of trade (more than $1 billion in goods crosses daily). Additionally, metro Detroit is home to major passenger vehicle traffic - between 3000 and 4000 Canadian health care workers entering the region every day.

I've talked to folks who know the situation up north at the Sault as well.  Apparently there are quite a few health care workers who migrate daily into our country so they can freely practice medicine.