This afternoon the House Labor Committee reported SBs 1085 and 1086, bills that amend the Urban Cooperation Act and the Intergovernmental Transfers of Functions and Responsibilities Act.
Unfortunately the bills were reported without amendment in the same version that passed the Senate. Unlike the PA 312 bill that is harmful to our communities, SBs 1085 and 1086 don't outwardly harm our communities but certainly don't help us control costs.
The City of Grand Rapids proposed substitutes that would remove barriers to collaboration, but the substitutes were voted down on party lines (with the Republican committee members voting in favor of the real reform language).
There is language in the Acts that state an employee may not be placed in a "worst position" when an authority is created. This is an impediment to local government collaboration, and the League has been working for several years to get this language removed.
These bills do not remove this language and therefore will not encourage communities to collaborate and consolidate. The bills are now on the House floor.
Samantha Harkins works for the Michigan Municipal League handling municipal services issues. She can be reached at 517-908-0306 or email at sharkins@mml.org
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