Overview
- The Michigan House voted 91–16 on Thursday to pass Senate Bill 304 and send it to the governor, advancing a charter change that must win a majority on Mackinac Island to take effect.
- The bill would let the island authorize, license and regulate all aspects of ferry service to and from the city, including fares, parking fees, baggage and bicycle handling charges.
- Nearby mainland towns Mackinaw City and St. Ignace oppose the change because it could let the smaller island set fees that affect their parking and municipal costs and local leaders are pursuing higher charges for ferry operators.
- Hoffman Marine, which owns the two ferry lines, said its prices reflect higher fuel and labor costs and warned it could halt service if a new contract is not negotiated before the current one expires next summer.
- A federal appeals court has already allowed the city to set ticket prices but not parking rules while a broader antitrust lawsuit continues, and rising ancillary fees have raised a typical minimum trip cost from about $34 to roughly $51 per person, straining residents and the island’s tourism economy.