Michigan's governor on the attack against Proposal 6

By Maurielle Lue
FOX 2 News Reporter

On paper it seems like a sweetheart deal to Michigan -- a bridge to Canada practically free to taxpayers.  However, those who oppose the bridge say the devil is in the details.  Monday, Governor Snyder made his case to a group of Canadian and U.S. business leaders.

"No on 6 is to say let's move forward now with this bridge," said Snyder.

The governor is on the attack, calling Prop 6 a poorly drafted proposal sure to drag on in court.

Prop 6 would put construction of a new international bridge to Canada in the hands of voters, something Snyder says is unnecessary.

"You guys don't remember voting for the Sault Sainte Marie bridge?  You don't remember voting for the Blue Water Bridge?" Snyder remarked.  "Those bridges I mentioned, we used taxpayer dollars to build those bridges.  This is a bridge we're not using taxpayer dollars and we want to have a vote on this bridge.... Does that make any sense to anyone?"

Snyder says Prop 6 serves the special interest of billionaire Matty Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge.  Recent Yes on Prop 6 ads paid for by Moroun say the bridge will cost Michiganders, but Canada's consul general says that's just not true.

"We will pay for the interchange on the U.S. side.  We will backstop the private sector builder of the bridge.  If there are cost overruns, they're on us, not on the Government of Michigan.  If tolls are insufficient, they're on us.  The State of Michigan pays nothing for this project and faces no liabilities," said Roy Norton.

"Don't forget the governor went around the legislature.  They said no.  I don't know what he's going to do with the people," said Ambassador Bridge President Dan Stamper.

Hours before the governor's speech, Stamper made his case before voters saying a bridge could be right and it could be wrong, but it's definitely the people's choice.

Snyder and Canada's consul general say recent ads are distracting and misleading.

"Canada will pay for a bridge.  Those Canadian funds are not available to Michigan to pay for textbooks or policemen or firefighters," Norton said.

"I'm going to continue taking that message out to the public because I believe they deserve to know and have better guidance than a bunch of misleading ads from the Yes on 6 people," said Snyder.