Sold-out Breakfast Club set for big talk with local leaders about regional transit

There will be a sold-out crowd with many curious onlookers when the region’s Big Four political leaders — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Oakland County Executive David Coulter — are joined by Washtenaw County Commission Chairman Jason Morgan on Tuesday at the Detroit Free Press’ next Breakfast Club forum at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.

“Regional Transit: A New Era?” is the subject of the forum and it’s a conversation that has been taking place for years. Unlike his predecessor the late L. Brooks Patterson, Coulter appears willing to consider options on the subject. And as Washtenaw County (particularly Ann Arbor) has experienced significant job growth and new business attraction over the last decade, that portion of our region has increased its voice in this discussion (which brings Morgan to the morning party).

More: Pontiac-based United Shore could steal No. 1 ranking from Quicken Loans

More: Gretchen Whitmer speaks out on Sen. Peter Lucido's comments to reporter

As last year drew to a close, Duggan, Evans, Coulter and Morgan proposed a revision to the Municipal Partnership Act (MPA), which would create a foundation for Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw counties to eventually work toward a three county regional transit plan.

The MPA was enacted in 2011 with a goal of fostering greater regional communication between governments. Upon a vote of its citizens, cities can utilize it to levy millages. In this case, House Bill 5229 has been drafted to make technical revisions to the law so the region can have greater flexibility in finding a solution to transit. The bill has bipartisan support and, significantly, keen interest from the corporate community.

Some involved in this discussion over the years assert mass transit already exists in our region in the form of SMART and, in Washtenaw County, AATA. But it is not comprehensive 21st Century mass transit and our region continues to fall behind our competitors for business attraction, job growth and those seeking a certain quality of life until we solve the situation.

Much needs to happen before any plan can become reality (most importantly, the passage of House bill 5229) but at least there is something on the table. With the Big Four and Morgan all taking to the stage to discuss it and seek a fresh solution, hopes spring eternal.