U.P. Lawmaker Wants No Confidence Vote Against MDOT Director

A state lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula is calling for a vote of no confidence against Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle.

State Representative Scott Dianda has introduced a resolution calling for the vote saying Steudle has mismanaged millions of dollars.

Dianda points to the 2010 lease of rail cars for a future rail line between Ann Arbor and Howell and Ann Arbor and Detroit as one example. That deal has cost nearly $12 million to date.

Dianda introduced the resolution as Republican leaders were working in the background to cobble together enough yes votes to pass a road funding plan, which includes tax and fee increases.

The plan did pass eventually pass the House late Wednesday night.

He says if taxpayers are going to fork over more money to MDOT to repair the roads the state should have a better manager running the agency.