© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Moroun acknowledges money to bridge foe

A member of the family that owns the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit has acknowledged giving money to a group that’s working to stop the construction of a competing bridge – including plastering a neighborhood with fake eviction notices.

But Matthew Moroun says his family had nothing to do with the flyers.

Americans for Prosperity says the group papered Detroit’s Delray neighborhood with the fake eviction notices as an attention-grabbing gesture – to warn people homes and businesses would be displaced if a new bridge is built. The flyer also urges people to call their legislators to oppose a new bridge.

Matthew Moroun says the fact that his family gives money to the group should not be taken as support everything it does.

“We have been supporters of Americans for Prosperity for many years, even before the bridge issue got hot in Lansing. I plan on continuing to be a supporter.”

Americans for Prosperity is also running a statewide TV ad campaign opposing a new bridge in Detroit that has wide support in the business community and the backing of Governor Rick Snyder. A bill to create a public-private authority to build and run a second bridge is before the Legislature.

          

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.