CMU freshman presents to Joint Transportation Committee in Lansing

A Central Michigan University freshman’s innovative idea to fund infrastructure needs in the state’s transportation system has earned her the opportunity to testify before state legislators.

 

Lauren Grotkowski of Auburn gained the attention of lawmakers after placing second in the statewide Students Reinventing Michigan competition, a competition began this year asking college students to create ways to improve the state’s infrastructure funds with public support.

 

“I never expected all of this,” said Grotkowski. “You would not expect this in your freshman year. It’s pretty exciting. I feel honored and proud to represent CMU.”

 

Grotkowski’s proposal aims to redirect money from used car sales and auto repairs toward the infrastructure fund. Her proposal also would include a slight increase in vehicle registration and require a few changes to current tax laws. Grotkowski says she thought it was important to focus her proposal on the infrastructure fund because maintaining Michigan’s roads and bridges are a common interest among all of the state’s residents.

 

Senator Tom Casperson, chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, expressed how pleased he was to hear such great ideas coming from college students.

 

“It’s very rare to have college students to come in and talk in detail on these types of issues,” Casperson said. “As we move forward with our committee meetings, we’ll be reflecting on the reports that they turned in and use those as the foundation to make the argument on what we’re going to do and why we need to do it.”

 

Following her presentation, Grotkowski said the feedback she got from the committee was overwhelmingly positive.

 

“They kept telling me how proud they were,” she said. “Especially the women. They kept saying how we need more women in politics. I think the experience opened a lot of doors for my future.”