Update, 10 a.m.: The Regional Transit Authority won't get property tax money from four Southeast Michigan Counties,
"The tax appears to have failed by about 18,000 votes," the Free Press confirms, adding:
Voters in Wayne and Washtenaw counties supported the tax, approving it 359,244 to 322,447, and 93,994 to 73,270, respectively.
It fell short, by 1,109 votes in Oakland County, where the tally was 293,510 against and 292,401 in support. But, the opposition was greatest in Macomb County, with a vote of 222,806 no to 148,159 yes.
One precinct in Wayne County with 1,093 registered voters had not reported returns, but it did not appear to be enough to tip the balance, even if every voter in the precinct supported it.
The millage would have raised $3 billion and let the region to tap into $1.7 billion in state and federal funds. The transit authority can try again in two years.
Original post:
With votes being counted early into the morning, the fate of the Regional Transit Authority millage was still unclear.
At of 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, Eric Lawrence of the Detroit Free Press reports:
With votes still being tabulated shortly after 4 a.m., support for the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan property tax millage trailed the opposition, but just barely -- by about 8,000 votes with 19% of Washtenaw County and 14% of Wayne County precincts still uncounted. The measure appeared to split the region, but the total vote determines the outcome, so a strong showing in Detroit could conceivably make a difference.
