LANSING, Mich., May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement by Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley in response to bipartisan action in the State House today to raise transportation investment by $450 million per year.

"Today in Lansing an overwhelming majority of Democrats and Republicans in the State House worked together to pass a package of legislation to build better roads. We especially commend the leadership of Speaker Jase Bolger (Marshall) and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (Auburn Hills); and bipartisan cooperation between House Transportation Chair Wayne Schmidt (Traverse City) and House Transportation Minority Vice Chair Marilyn Lane (Fraser).

"After years of debate, today's passage of a $450 million House transportation funding plan breaks the legislative log jam on this key economic issue. If the Michigan Senate works together in the same spirit of cooperation and determination as the House, a broader and more comprehensive plan to fix the roads and improve public transit can and should be signed into law by the 4^th of July."

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,500 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce