Bill to Expand Charter Schools Also Exempts Property Taxes
 SB 618, which is known primarily for its main purpose of uncapping the number of charter schools, also has a provision that impacts local governments. In the bill, property that is used for a charter school is exempt from property taxes. This is not for charter school owned buildings, but the owner of any building which is used for charter schools gets tax-free status. The League has been working to get this provision stripped in the House Education Committee. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 Bills to Prorate Principal Residence Exemption in Workgroup Stage - HB 4446 and SB 349 deal with prorating the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) for taxpayers. Currently there is only one date - May 1- which is the cutoff for getting the PRE. The League has always opposed this concept from a practical standpoint since daily proration would be very problematic administratively. However, we do support trying to come to some agreement to at least add a second date for getting the principal residence classification. MORE>
Renaissance Zone and Income Tax Fix Moves to Senate Floor
Fireworks Legislation Passes Both Chambers, Goes to Governor
2011/2012 Pay and Benefits Survey Now Available
Federal Update
 Members Urged to Pass Resolution on Deficit Reduction - With deadlines nearing for the Super Committee on Deficit Reduction and Congress to trim $1.5 trillion from the federal budget, now is the time for members to have their voices heard by adopting a resolution calling for a balanced approach. The Committee has until November 23 to complete its task and if they do not, or if Congress fails to adopt those recommendations by December 23, then there will be $1.2 trillion in across-the-board cuts on non-defense and discretionary defense spending in Fiscal Year 2013. This would negatively impact many programs of importance to enhancing and maintaining quality of life in Michigan communities. MORE>
Transportation Bill Passes First Senate Test
Michigan Officials and Youth Attend NLC Conference
League Officials Meet with President Obama
2012 Local Program Funding in Hands of Conference Committee
21st Century Communities
 League CEO Dan Gilmartin Featured on “Bright Side” Program - League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin was recently interviewed by the "Bright Side" program on issues surrounding placemaking. Gilmartin discussed the importance of place as a primary economic development driver. Place is featured in the new League publication, "The Economics of Place". MORE>
“Building Prosperous Places” Webinar
Free Community Planning and Design Assistance Available Through EPA Building Blocks
Oakland University Serves Entrepreneurs
Build
Communities Through Art: Grants Available
Economics
of Place
Book Released, Available from League at Amazon |
