Perhaps no place illustrates the national positive trends in transportation at the ballot box (and state legislatures) better than Michigan, where citizens voted to raise taxes for transportation investments in cities and counties across the state, at least one anti-transit elected official was ousted, a Republican governor led the charge for regional transit investment in the state’s biggest metro and when given a chance to bail in the name of “cost savings,” voters doubled down on their existing transit systems.

The New York Times editorial board wonders if Detroit’s big three automakers will put their $25 billion loan from the federal government to good use by investing in fuel-efficient vehicles.

Amidst the high-profile discussion over a massive bailout of the financial industry, the U.S. House quietly approves a $25 billion loan guarantee to help Detroit automakers build more fuel-efficient cars. (Los Angeles Times — Richard Simon)

Detroit residents get their first look at an ambitious plan to connect the city and its suburbs over the next few decades with a network of light rail, commuter rail, and hybrid buses. (Detroit News — Tanveer Ali)

Democrats and Republicans in Congress — along with both presidential candidates — are supporting a plan to provide $25 billion in loan guarantees to struggling American auto manufacturers. (New York Times — David Herszenhorn)

With more details rising to the surface about a proposal to build a light-rail line through downtown Detroit, it’s looking like the motor city could soon become a whole lot friendlier to its car-less residents. (Detroit Free Press — Editorial Board)