League Members Asked to Contact Lawmakers About Personal Property Tax!
 Please help us educate lawmakers on the personal property tax issue. As you most likely know, an effort is underway in the Michigan Legislature to reduce business taxes by eliminating significant portions of the personal property tax (PPT). We expect this issue to gain steam after the two week recess so we need to start educating lawmakers now. The PPT is paid only by businesses on equipment and machinery. Please contact your lawmakers today explaining that if the Legislature eliminates any PPT, the funds must be fully replaced to head off local tax increases and guaranteed in the constitution for local services so future Legislatures won’t raid the money. To help you contact your lawmakers, the League has drafted sample letters for you. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 League Seeks Answers From State on Economic Vitality Incentive Program - With the deadline for the third leg of the Economic Vitality Incentive Program rapidly approaching, we thought it important to provide an update on the multitude of questions that were posed to Treasury that arose during the League’s recent webinar. These questions are seeking critical clarifications on the interpretation of the act’s requirements, and unfortunately we are still waiting for Treasury to respond. MORE>
MAM Capitol Reception: April 17
Date for Final Submission of Billings for ARRA Changed
Transportation Asset Management Conference Scheduled for April
Interacting with the State - Michigan Shared Services Community
Federal Update
 House Republicans Look to Extend Current Transportation Act - With a March 31 deadline looming on the latest extension of the current federal transportation authorization act, it appears that House Republicans will pass a three month extension. Readers will recall that the House bill, H.R. 7, failed to get off the House floor, while the Senate passed its own bill, S. 1813, to put in place a new two year authorization. That measure passed on a bi-partisan basis. At the time it looked the House Republicans might go along with the Senate proposal, and they still might, but for now leadership has decided to simply extend the old act for the ninth time. MORE>
House Republicans Introduce Budget - Vote Expected Soon
League's Dan Gilmartin Met with President Obama to Support Michigan Cities
21st Century Communities
 U.S. Census: 8 of 10 Americans Live In Urban Areas - A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that a great majority of Americans live in urban areas and that between 2000 and 2010. The report also found that the nation’s urban population grew by 12.1 percent, faster than the nation’s overall growth rate of 9.7 percent for the same period. MORE>
The Fund Book - Free Federal Funding Resource
Law Enforcement Project Seeking Local Partners
Community Revitalization Workshops Offered
Input Requested on Electric Vehicle Plan
Michigan Land and Prosperity Summit
MDEQ Grants Available for Household Drug Collection Programs
Michigan Main Street Program Seeking Communities
An Exciting New Initiative for Michigan: Community Arts Certification Conference |
