Bridge owner spent millions to promote ballot proposal

DETROIT, MI (AP)--   Campaign finance reports say two companies controlled by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun spent $4.5 million on the effort to require a statewide vote before a new international crossing can be built.

Mlive.com says the People Should Decide committee filed the report Wednesday with the Secretary of State.

The report says DIBC Holdings Inc. contributed $4.6 million to the committee, while Central Transport Inc. made an in-kind $100,000 contribution.  The committee says it spent $1.3 million on ads related to the ballot proposal and paid $2.3 million to Las Vegas-based Silver Bullet for signature gathering and other services.  The committee won a spot on the November ballot.

Governor Rick Snyder says the outcome won't affect a U.S. Canadian deal for a competing bridge from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario.