Trash Tax Debate Continues

It was a busy week for the tipping fee/solid waste surcharge issue.  On Tuesday, the House Great Lakes & Environment committee chair held a workgroup meeting on the distribution formula bill that remains in her committee.  The chair and the bill's sponsor asked the groups in attendance to help them define what it will take to hold communities harmless from any additional costs that will occur if the tipping fee is increased to $7.50/ton.  The chair followed up this workgroup meeting with a full, public hearing on House Bill 5559 on Thursday morning.  I testified on behalf of the League before the committee, going on record to oppose the current version of the bill and making sure that the committee members were made aware of the concerns that Michigan's cities and villages have with the additional burden that this package would create.  The committee adjourned without taking action on this bill, but the chair expressed a desire to finish up action on this issue before the end of the year.  Keep checking back here for updates as this issue evolves.