PA 54 Exemption to Receive Hearing
 The House Local Government committee has announced a hearing on a new bill, HB 5780, introduced last month that would amend PA 54 of 2012, the law prohibiting retroactive wage increases, to exempt police officers and firefighters. The hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, September 27, at 9 a.m. HB 5780 seeks to undo one of last year's important reforms by exempting those employees who are subject to PA 312. Our members have hailed PA 54 as a success because it has allowed for the settlement of contracts more quickly and has resulted in cost savings and fewer PA 312 arbitrations. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 House Committee Passes Bill Dealing with Redevelopment Liquor Licenses - The House Regulatory Reform Committee took testimony and passed out of committee HB 5877 (Denby, R-Fowlerville). This bill amends the Michigan liquor control code dealing with redevelopment liquor licenses. According to a recent determination by the Liquor Control Commission, only businesses in cities are eligible for redevelopment liquor licenses (click here for one-pager on redevelopment licenses). This new determination is counter to the last six years, where the Liquor Control Commission has allowed the redevelopment licenses in TIF districts to be for cities, villages, or townships. MORE>
House Transportation Committee to Hold Hearing on Regional Transit Authority
Bills Dealing with Internet Security Systems Pass Committee
Legislation to "Modernize" Blue Cross Blue Shield Gets Senate Hearing
Sewer Funding Bills Pass Through House Committee
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Passes House Committee
New PA 152 Hard Cap Amounts Released by Treasury
Blight Elimination Funds Available
New Round of Federal EPA Grant Funding for Brownfields Available
CRC Webinar and Analysis of 25x25 Renewable Energy Ballot Question
Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys Honors Several State Lawyers
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>
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
On Allocating Scarce Resources, Running Government Like A Business and Having Your Cake and Eating it Too
Michigan Vacant Property Campaign Launched
National Park Service Offers Free Technical Assistance
The Fund Book - Free Federal Funding Resource |
