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  • Permission to reprint this blog post in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the Citizens Research Council of Michigan is properly cited.

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    January 17, 2025

    Research Council Comparative Road Funding Analysis Attracts National Attention

    Livonia, January 15, 2025 – Citizens Research Council Research Associate of Infrastructure Policy, Eric Paul Dennis, spoke at the 104th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), held January 5-9 in Washington D.C. With over 10,000 attendees from around the world, the 2025 TRB Annual Meeting is the largest global gathering of transportation professionals and researchers with a focus on innovative solutions for all modes of transportation.

    Dennis was invited to give a lectern presentation to the TRB Standing Committee on Economics and Finance. His presentation, “A Novel Multifactorial State Road Funding Index,” reflects Research Council findings that Michigan ranks 30th among states in road funding. The novel research seeks to provide an objective assessment of Michigan’s road funding levels.

    Dennis’ research was well-received by a large audience comprised of representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, state road agencies, and others. “The Road Funding Index offers policy analysts and advocates a unique opportunity to compare states, and we plan to use it in our advocacy,” said Corrigan Salerno, Policy Manager at Transportation for America.

    Our analysis of funding data from all 50 states, in combination with a parallel 50 state Road Pavement Quality Index, reveals what many have suspected as the case for years: how the funds are distributed and spent is as important as the total sum available. The Citizens Research Council plans to update and refine this research in the coming year as Michigan’s legislature pursues options to “fix the damn roads.”

    Founded in 1916, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan works to improve government in Michigan. The organization provides factual, unbiased, independent information concerning significant issues of state and local government organization, policy, and finance. By delivery of this information to policymakers and citizens, the Research Council aims to ensure sound and rational public policy formation in Michigan. For more information, visit www.crcmich.org.

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    Communications Director

    About The Author

    Maureen McNulty-Saxton

    Communications Director

    Lansing
    Maureen is a leading public relations and communications professional with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. She joined the Research Council as Communications Director in 2023. Before that, Maureen led strategic public relations for statewide clients on behalf of a Detroit-based PR firm. She also founded and directed PR Edge, a Lansing-based public relations firm. Maureen also served in several roles in state government, including heading the press and communications offices for the state departments of Treasury, Management and Budget, and History, Arts & Libraries. She also served as a gubernatorial campaign’s deputy campaign manager and spokeswoman. She earned her B.A. in International Relations from the University of Michigan and serves on the Board of Commissioners of LEPFA as vice chair and the Michigan Nature Association Board of Trustees.

    Research Council Comparative Road Funding Analysis Attracts National Attention

    Livonia, January 15, 2025 – Citizens Research Council Research Associate of Infrastructure Policy, Eric Paul Dennis, spoke at the 104th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), held January 5-9 in Washington D.C. With over 10,000 attendees from around the world, the 2025 TRB Annual Meeting is the largest global gathering of transportation professionals and researchers with a focus on innovative solutions for all modes of transportation.

    Dennis was invited to give a lectern presentation to the TRB Standing Committee on Economics and Finance. His presentation, “A Novel Multifactorial State Road Funding Index,” reflects Research Council findings that Michigan ranks 30th among states in road funding. The novel research seeks to provide an objective assessment of Michigan’s road funding levels.

    Dennis’ research was well-received by a large audience comprised of representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, state road agencies, and others. “The Road Funding Index offers policy analysts and advocates a unique opportunity to compare states, and we plan to use it in our advocacy,” said Corrigan Salerno, Policy Manager at Transportation for America.

    Our analysis of funding data from all 50 states, in combination with a parallel 50 state Road Pavement Quality Index, reveals what many have suspected as the case for years: how the funds are distributed and spent is as important as the total sum available. The Citizens Research Council plans to update and refine this research in the coming year as Michigan’s legislature pursues options to “fix the damn roads.”

    Founded in 1916, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan works to improve government in Michigan. The organization provides factual, unbiased, independent information concerning significant issues of state and local government organization, policy, and finance. By delivery of this information to policymakers and citizens, the Research Council aims to ensure sound and rational public policy formation in Michigan. For more information, visit www.crcmich.org.

    ###

  • Permission to reprint this blog post in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the Citizens Research Council of Michigan is properly cited.

  • Recent Posts

    • Stay informed of new research published and other Citizens Research Council news.
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    Communications Director

    About The Author

    Maureen McNulty-Saxton

    Communications Director

    Lansing
    Maureen is a leading public relations and communications professional with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. She joined the Research Council as Communications Director in 2023. Before that, Maureen led strategic public relations for statewide clients on behalf of a Detroit-based PR firm. She also founded and directed PR Edge, a Lansing-based public relations firm. Maureen also served in several roles in state government, including heading the press and communications offices for the state departments of Treasury, Management and Budget, and History, Arts & Libraries. She also served as a gubernatorial campaign’s deputy campaign manager and spokeswoman. She earned her B.A. in International Relations from the University of Michigan and serves on the Board of Commissioners of LEPFA as vice chair and the Michigan Nature Association Board of Trustees.

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