League, Gilmartin Win MSAE Diamond Awards
 The League is proud to announce that our organization was the recipient of three Diamond Awards Thursday from the Michigan Society of Association Executives. The League earned the MSAE’s Diamond Award in government relations for our work on the personal property tax issue and related Replace Don’t Erase campaign. The League also received a Diamond Award for its public relations campaign about placemaking, which included the League’s book “The Economics of Place: The Value of Building Communities Around People,” which continues to be talked about, used in college classrooms and purchased on Amazon.com. However, the biggest honor of the night was bestowed on our own Dan Gilmartin, League CEO & Executive Director, who received the 2012 Strategic Association Leader Diamond Award. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 Pension bonding bill on its way to the Governor - Last week the House passed SB 1129, a bill allowing local units of government to bond for costs associated with switching from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC). In its current version the bill also allows for bonding for unfunded accrued liability for health care. This option is available to communities with a AA bonding rating. The bill will head to the Governor once the Senate concurs. This bill is half of the pension flexibility package the League has been pushing. MORE>
REMINDER: EVIP INFO FOR ALL MUNICIPALITIES DUE BY OCT 1
Redevelopment Liquor License Bill Passes House
Bill to Allow Temporary Liquor Licenses Passes House - League Amendment Added
Internet Security Systems Bills Pass Senate with League Amendments
House Holds Hearing on PA 54 Exemption
FOIA Bills Get House Committee Hearing
House Transportation Committee Holds Regional Transit Authority Hearing
MEDC Roadshow Coming to an Area Near You
Proposal 5 Opposition Growing
CRC Offers Issue Analysis of PA 4 Ballot Initiative and Webinars of All Ballot Initiatives
Replace Don't Erase Coalition Launches Campaign on Personal Property Tax Issue
Registration Open for 2012 Convention, Mackinac Island Oct 3-5
Interacting with the State - Michigan Shared Services Community
Federal Update
 MDOT Seeks Input on New Federal Transportation Funding Model, MAP-21 - Recently the League staff attended a meeting with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to discuss how they intend to implement the new federal transportation funding law, MAP-21, which Congress passed this summer. The new law makes several changes to the categories on federal funding and provides some additional flexibility in how those funds are passed through and spent. MORE>
US Department of Transportation Seeking local Feedback on National Environmental Policy Act
Tell Your Story: The FCC wants to Hear About PEG in Your Community
MAP-21 Resources Available
Congress to Begin Summer Break
"Fiscal Cliff" On the Horizon
21st Century Communities
 EPA Offers Smart Growth Technical Assistance Through Building Blocks Program - The US EPA recently announced a new set of technical assistance tools available through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The next round of applications will be accepted starting September 24. EPA is providing a webinar on 9/27 for communities interested in learning more. MORE>
Of building a bridge as you walk it…
Oak Park to Host Michigan Vacant Property Campaign Roundtable
Built Environment Showcase to be Held at MSU
Updated Green Communities Challenge Now Open
Fish Can’t Climb Trees!
Stop What You’re Doing
Michigan Vacant Property Campaign Launched
National Park Service Offers Free Technical Assistance
The Fund Book - Free Federal Funding Resource |
