LANSING — A proposal to give Mackinac Island more power over the cost of ferry transport passed the state Senate Tuesday with strong bipartisan support.
Shepler’s Ferry and Arnold Transit Co. are both owned by Florida-based private equity firm Hoffmann Marine.
The services requested an increase in ticket prices last year, which was denied by the Mackinac Island City Council.
Local leaders have raised concerns that the arrangement effectively puts a monopoly on transport to the island.
While the city council is allowed to influence ticket prices, they’re not able to touch things like baggage or parking fees.
State lawmakers are now considering whether to give Mackinac Island that power following increases to administrative fees and parking rates.
“People on Mackinac Island and the ferry service and the city have to be very careful about these costs and what they’re going to do potentially,” said Rep. John Roth, (R) District 104, Interlochen. “I think it’s going to be a long discussion in the House to have these conversations.”
Roth says that other Republicans will likely need to hear more about the bill — SB 304 — before lending their support.
“I just don’t think it’ll be a quick fix in the House,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of conversation”
Roth says that he anticipates the bill will be considered in the coming weeks.
Even if passed by the House and signed into law quickly, the question of expanding the city council’s authority wouldn’t go before Mackinac Island voters until at least 60 days later.