Community Corner

Tri-County Effort Aims to Protect DIA, Zoo Millages

Legislation prevents diversion of voter-approved millages to other purposes.

A package of legislation aimed at protecting voter-approved millages for the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has been introduced in Lansing by a group of Democrats and Republicans from the tri-county area.

A number of communities, including Wyandotte, Dearborn, Northville, and Plymouth Township, have redirected revenue raised from the zoo and DIA millages to support specific development districts within their city limits. 

“We are trying to restore the intent of voters,” said State Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak).

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While sympathetic to plight of local municipalities, Townsend said voters did not anticipate communities would divert funds to pay for sidewalks and streetlights that have nothing to do with zoo and DIA.

The bills introduced are meant to "eliminate any ambiguity" and clarify voters earmarked the taxes for a specific purpose, Townsend said.

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“Frankly, the original legislation should have been clearer.”

Other representatives who are a part of the coalition include: Reps. Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford), Harold Haugh (D-Roseville), Gail Haines (R-Waterford), Jeff Farrington (R-Utica), Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake) and Speaker Pro Tempore John Walsh (R-Livonia).

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