The Michigan Foreclosure Task Force are about to gear up for a big push on anti-predatory lending legislation in the Michigan Legislature. The League recently joined this task force, and has been asked if we have local government officials interested in testifying on the impacts that foreclosures are having on their communities.  Officials could address quality of life issues (vacancy, abandonment, blight, etc.), the impact on the tax base, the increased demand on municipal services to respond to crime, blight, etc. around foreclosed, vacant properties or anything else.  The Task Force argues that predatory lending practices are a significant contributing factor in the foreclosure crisis, and it's critical to put in place protections now so that this does not happen again down the road.  If you are interested in testifying about how foreclosure has affected your community, please let me know and I will contact you when the times comes.

Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email.

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