Another test of regional cooperation

The Detroit Zoo is trying to create a regional authority with the power to levy a millage in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties to finance the zoo's operations. It won't be easy:

Patterson acknowledged proponents face a tough sales job on a tax increase during a down economy, especially when property values are falling. They also face the challenge of trying to unite a fractious region that has struggled to cooperate on other important economic issues like expanding Cobo, control of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and the divvying of Homeland Security money.

Can the region cooperate to preserve this "cultural gem" (as all the politicians rush to call it)? The answer may portend whether we're ready for more important moves later on, in particular the creation of a regional transit authority and the passing of a local sales tax to finance a rapid transit system.