Dianda MDOT Cap Passes Committee

State Representative Scott Dianda has won a preliminary round in his battle to force the Michigan Department of Transportation to spend more of its money on roads. Dianda’s amendment to House Bill 4613 would cap administrative costs for MDOT at seven percent of its total budget. The cap currently stands at 10 percent. The bill was voted out of the Special House Committee on Roads and Economic Development yesterday. At current funding levels, the change would divert an additional 31-million dollars to roadwork. Two-thirds of the money would be allocated to county road commissions. The remainder would be distributed to cities, villages and townships. Dianda admits that’s a drop in the bucket compared to what Michigan needs to address its crumbling roads, but says every penny will help.