The House New Economy Committee took testimony on two bills worked on closely by the League.
HB 6243 is legislation to create town-gown districts. The bill would create new “qualified educational districts” within the DDA act, which would allow DDA districts to be set up that capture dollars the same way as DDA’s but focus on town-gown issues and have membership from the government, the university or community college, and the community. HB 6242 is legislation to create a state New Economy Council. This bill is modeled after a Massachusetts law, and is intended to refocus the state and discussions towards new economy issues that the League is pushing through its Prosperity Agenda.
Andy Schor of League staff was joined by Linden Mayor David Lossing (who also works for UM Flint in government relations) and Sean Mann of the Let’s Save Michigan campaign. They discussed with the committee the importance of attracting talent and jobs in the new economy, and how both the statewide council and local town-gown councils in college communities play important roles in this process.
The bills were reviewed for testimony only, and it is expected that they will be up in committee again next week. The League has shared the town-gown concept with the University community and expects more testimony and movement on the legislation soon.
Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email at aschor@mml.org.
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