The QLine is a billionaire’s boondoggle now funded with $85 million in tax dollars, so ML, Marc and Shawn dig into the history of the downtown streetcar with Bill Shea, who chronicled its rise from the asphalt, while Joe calls a cab.

STRAIGHT DOPE: Michigan legislators and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer agreed to give the privately-built and funded QLine $85 million in tax dollars to help keep it rolling for the next 17 years. ML dug into the deal in his latest “On Guard” column for the Free Press. The crew discusses in greater detail with Bill Shea, who wrote about it for Crain’s Detroit Business. Here’s a link to ML’s column.

Bill recalls some of the promises made about the QLine, and how they’ve been broken.

Where is the QLine going, where was it meant to go, and will it ever get there are just some of huge public policy issues debated this week.

ML and Bill discuss some of the billionaires who built the QLine, and how they stood to benefit from the rail line.

Shawn compares our public transportation dilemma to light rail in other cities, and offers a potential explanation for our shabby state of affairs.

Bill left Crain’s Detroit Business for The Athletic, where he covers sports media. He and Marc discuss why it’s sometimes so hard to find the games you’re looking for, as well as the uncertain future of broadcasters like Bally Sports Detroit.

ML invites you to the Clark Park Winter Carnival and his outdoor charity hockey games this Saturday, Jan. 21. The games are free, but he’s hoping you can make a donation to support kids in Detroit. Use this link to learn more (and give).

GEEK OF THE WEEK: When it comes to politics, ML is a good loser. This week’s geek is a very, very bad loser.

ROOM 7609: Mr. Magoo books Detroit shoegazing band Majesty Crush into the New Wave suite to perform “No. 1 Fan,” which may also describe his status with the band.

FEEDBACK: Questions about arena playlists and tax incentives for billionaires are asked – and we answered!

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