IMPORTANT NOTICE ON CORRECTED EVIP DEADLINE:
Please be aware of the following critical correction to the January/February 2013 issue of The Review magazine:
Page 46, the Municipal Q&A, contains a question on EVIP requirements and lists the next EVIP deadline as February 13, 2013.
THE CORRECT DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2013.
All of our online materials, the information we’ve provided in webinars and trainings and the information you are receiving from Treasury contains the correct deadline. The print version of the magazine is the only place that contains this typo. The online magazine has been corrected here.
Contact Your Legislators Today -- Increase Transportation Funding!!
 In his State of the State speech last night Governor Snyder indicated that increased funding for transportation is priority. This has been a long standing priority for the Michigan Municipal League as we have participated in many taskforces, workgroups and initiatives in the last several years.
We are part of the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) who is working to get this message to legislators. We are at a critical point in the need for transportation funding. Please visit the MTT's website:justfixtheroads.com. Go here to contact your legislators and ask them to support increased funding for transportation. The time is now. Building vibrant communities and creating jobs depends on reliable infrastructre and public transit. Contact your legislators today!
State
Affairs Update
 Governor Snyder Gives Third State of the State Speech, Focuses on Transportation -- Governor Snyder held his third State of the State speech last Wednesday night. In it, he discussed theareas in which he would like to focus on during the next two years.
Transportation dollars to fix Michigan roads was towards the top of the list. He discussed his desire to look at the distribution formula for road funding, although no specific details were given. The governor indicated that the state needs to pony up $1-$1.2 billion in additional road funding along with a local option piece to raise an additional couple million dollars. While we are looking forward to working on increased funding, the relevant data and the TF2 report indicate that $1.2-$1.4 is not enough to build the infrastructure Michigan needs in order to attract and retain talent. <MORE>
It's Time to Replace the Plywood with Pavement
Step Forward Michigan Now Accepting Homeowner Applications for Loan Rescue
2013 PASER Training Announced
Federal Update
National League of Cities Accepting Applications for Committees, Deadline Is Friday, January 25 -- Have you ever served on an NLC committee? Have you ever thought about serving? Well, now is the time to  take action! NLC is accepting applications for their 2013 Full Policy and Advocacy Committees. Those who were committee members in 2012 will automatically be reappointed unless they notify NLC that they wish to not be on the committee, request a different committee, have been selected for a Policy and Advocacy Steering committee, or are no longer in office. These committees meet twice a year in conjunction with the NLC Congressional Cities Conference and Congress of Cities, so it works nicely if you plan to attend those events. Applications can be filled out online by clicking here. The deadline is Friday, January 25.
New Handbook on MAP-21 Federal Transportation Program Now Available
Transportation Alternatives Grant Program
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
21st Century Communities
Lansing Developing for 21st Century -- Here is a great article about residential development in Lansing that again reflects where the housing market is headed as we get deeper into the 21st century.
Now I'm going to say that I and my colleagues at the MML "told you so," but we have been telling whoever will listen that prosperous communities of this century look and feel far different than those of the last century.
In order to understand why, you have to understand demographics and the market shifts that are occuring. Such knowledge has been central to our message about the use of place-based strategies through mechanisms like the League's Center for 21st Century Communities.
How many more of these kinds of articles are necessary before policy makers and the broader development/real estate community get it?
Age Friendly Communities Conference
How to Stop Innovation
Citizens Institute on Rural Design Seeks Proposals
City of Port Huron, St. Clair County Community College Partner for Growth
Applications for the MI Historic Preservation Network 2013 Awards Now Available
The Fund Book - Free Federal Funding Resource |
