ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Senators Kowall (C), Hildenbrand (VC), Nofs, Emmons, Hansen, Hunter (MVC) and Smith

Heed the constituents warnings, Sen. Kowall.

A vote this week on a new bridge to Canada looked less likely Tuesday after a key senator said "it would be difficult at best" to muster enough votes to get the bills out of committee.

"There's not been a real warm feeling," about the New International Trade Crossing since hearings began in June, said Sen. Mike Kowall, who chairs the seven-member Senate Economic Development Committee, on Monday.

During hearings, "there hasn't been any earth-shattering evidence that's come into play" that would change senators' minds.

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Late last week, Kowall scheduled a committee vote for Wednesday following another hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

"But I'm starting to get the feel from the committee that that's not the direction they want to go right now," Kowall, R-White Lake Township, said Monday.