Election Update: In the Nov. 6, 2012 election, Proposal 6 was voted down, meaning that voter approval is not required for any new bridge or tunnel from Michigan to Canada.

If this proposal were approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to require voter approval of any new bridge or tunnel from Michigan to Canada. The measure was proposed by the Detroit International Bridge Co. and is supported by a committee called The People Should Decide. We have posted hyperlinks below to ballot information and to websites from both the "pro" and "con" perspectives.

The 100-word summary to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The complete language of the proposed amendment.

Commentary:

Proposal 6: Who Is Right About New Bridge?
Michael D. LaFaive, Oct. 15, 2012

Relevant Websites:

Ballotpedia.com entry for "Michigan International Bridge Initiative" (last updated Sept. 7, 2012).

Thepeopleshoulddecide.com homepage. This group, called The People Should Decide, argues for the proposed constitutional amendment.

Buildthedricnow.com homepage. This webpage, called New International Trade Crossing, argues against the proposed constitutional amendment.

Ambassador Bridge Topics Page, USA Today. This page offers all news coverage from USAToday.com on the proposed bridge/tunnel to Canada.

Teachers in the Roscommon Education Association voted Monday to decertify from the Michigan Education Association by a 42-22 vote.

The vote allows teachers in Roscommon Area Public Schools to form their own independent union.

"I am excited that my colleagues have shown the courage to stand up to MEA/NEA and its bureaucratic machine," said Jim Perialas, interim president of the new Roscommon Teacher's Association in a release. "We are not anti-union, we are anti-MEA. There were many services that were provided by the MEA that we could do ourselves, at half the cost."

Michael Van Beek, director of education policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said this vote could encourage other teacher unions to question their affiliation with the MEA.

"This is a big success story for the teachers in Roscommon," Van Beek said. "The dues they pay to be part of a union will be significantly reduced and they'll receive better representation. Their money will stay in the district instead of going to Lansing to pay the salaries of MEA officials."

Doug Pratt, MEA spokesman, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Come back to Michigan Capitol Confidential throughout the day for further details and comments about the decertification vote.