House fiscal analyst briefs committee: Michigan transportation budget about $6.8 billion, funding driven by vehicle registrations and federal grants

William "Bill" Hamilton, senior fiscal analyst for the Michigan House Fiscal Agency, briefed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on state transportation budgets and funding sources, saying the current-year transportation gross appropriation is roughly $6.8 billion and is funded primarily by state restricted revenue and federal grants.

Hamilton told committee members the budget supports state and local road and bridge programs, capital and operating assistance for about 80 public transit systems, rail passenger capital, and capital assistance for publicly owned airports. He summarized major revenue sources and how they flow into the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF).

Hamilton said state restricted revenue is the largest funding source and highlighted three major categories: vehicle registration revenues, motor fuel taxes, and federal aid. "The biggest program area, state and local road and bridge programs," Hamilton said, noting those programs make up the largest share of appropriations. He said approximately two-thirds of the budget comes from state restricted revenue and about one-third from federal sources.

Hamilton provided several figures and program shares: the budget's gross appropriation is about $6.8 billion; state restricted revenue accounts for roughly $4.2 billion of that…