April 14, 2008

State Affairs Report

Ask Senators to Support the Proposed 4-Percent Increase in Statutory Revenue Sharing – The General Government Subcommittee is scheduled to meet April 29 and could erase the House-passed 4-percent increase in statutory revenue sharing ($16 million for League members) from the General Government Budget. We need to convince senators to leave the increase as it was passed by the House or to increase it further (as House Republicans tried to do). Please call your senator; push for a commitment to retain the revenue sharing amount in HB 5816 (Cheeks, D-Detroit)! To email your senator directly about the importance of this legislation, click here. Contact: Summer Minnick

League Survey: Name the Most Burdensome Unfunded Mandates Established by the State – What are the most burdensome unfunded mandates the state places on local units of government? Click here to share your thoughts by taking a quick online survey. Public Act 98 of 2007 created a new state legislative committee to identifying these mandates and reporting requirements. The League is assisting the committee by providing a "Top 10" list of most burdensome mandates or reporting requirements placed on local governments by the state. We need to hear from you! The survey deadline is Monday, May 5. Contact: Summer Minnick

Contact Your Legislator To Protect 9-1-1 Funding – HB 5892 (Espinoza, D-Croswell), which would extend the sunset for stable 9-1-1 funding from February 28, 2009 to December 31, 2013 is stalled in the Legislature. Last winter, the governor signed legislation creating stable funding for 9-1-1. This legislation overwhelmingly passed the House and the Senate. Now, as we are working to extend the sunset and protect 9-1-1 funding, the telecommunications industry is misinforming legislators in an attempt to kill this bill. Failure to protect 9-1-1 funding is detrimental to all Michigan communities. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY to urge them to take up HB 5892. Contact: Samantha Jones

Hire Michigan First Legislation – The Hire Michigan First bill package passed committee and took its first steps in the House last week. These bills would require companies receiving state or local dollars (or abatements) to utilize Michigan workers first and to the extent possible. The League did not take a position on the bills but requested several amendments. The House adopted an amendment removing locals from the reporting, enforcement and compliance provisions and another amendment ensuring the bills did not counter any federal law. In addition, the League-recommended language will be added to the Transportation Economic Development Act, limiting local governments' liability on Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) projects not directly under their control, thus protecting their ability to receive TEDF road funding. The bills are expected to pass the House this week. League-recommended amendments exempting border communities are not expected to be adopted however Reps. Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens) and Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale) expressed willingness to work on this when the bills are in the Senate. Contact: Andy Schor/David Worthams

Let's Get Movin' Lobby Day April 22 – Members are reminded to express support for public transit in Michigan by joining the Let's Get Movin' Coalition April 22, 2008 for its Legislative Lobby Day at the State Capitol. Transit riders, operators, managers and advocates from around the state are encouraged to be there to promote and protect public transit services. Any member interested in being a part of the Let's Get Movin' Legislative Lobby Day, should RSVP with Capitol Services, Inc at (517) 372-0860 or csi@capitolservices.org. Contact: David Worthams

Governor Signs Double Principal Residence Bill – Last week, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed HB 4215 (Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms) which allows residents a second principal residence exemption for up to three years as long as one of the homes is for sale. The Department of Treasury is developing a form to send to local governments. The deadline for residents to file with the local governments is May 1. The new law is effective this year. Contact: Summer Minnick

Brownfield Tax Credits Signed by Governor – HB 5511 (Clemente, D-Lincoln Park), which sets up Brownfield tax credits under the Michigan Business Tax (MBT), has been signed into law and is now PA 89 of 2008. It allows for credits to the MBT similar to those offered in the repealed Single Business Tax, and updates the way the credits are offered. View a presentation by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) regarding the Brownfield Redevelopment Act changes (passed late last year) and the Brownfield Tax Credit changes made by this new law on the League's website. Contact: Andy Schor

Revenue Sharing: League Ramping up PR Efforts with Keep the Promise Campaign – As part of a new campaign to keep revenue sharing constantly in front of legislators, each week for the next three months the League will deliver to legislative offices a large postcard with a “Keep the Promise” theme along with a trinket that illustrates the message – Click here to checkout our first delivery. Contact: Andrea Messinger

Brownfields '08 Conference: Registration is Free, Ends April 23 – The 12th National Brownfields Conference is coming to Detroit's Cobo Center, May 5-7, 2008. The League is proud to sponsor this FREE event and reminds you that registration ends April 23. Click here to register online and be sure to checkout can't-miss educational, networking, business development and deal-making opportunities such as the Brownfields Transaction Forum.

Great Lakes Region Scores $18 M in Brownfield Grants – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded 87 brownfields grants totaling $18.6 million to 56 communities and organizations in the Great Lakes states. Michigan received the most awards of any state – 19 grants for $8 million. Read more…

Federal Update

Visit the League's Federal Webpage Today!

Save the Date

The Small Town & Rural Development Conference
April 15-17, Thompsonville

MML Regional Seminar: 1
April 18, Wixom

Lobby for Transit - Let's Get Moving Lobby Day
April 22, State Capitol

2008 Brownfields Conference
May 5-7, Detroit...FREE
Register by April 23

MML Regional Seminar: 2
April 25, Stevensville

MML Regional Seminar: 3
May 9, Cedar Springs

Michigan Transportation Asset Management Conference
May 21, Marquette

Sustainable Energy Project Development Workshop
May 22, Rochester

MAM Summer Workshop
August 6-8, Sterling Heights

Grants & Projects

Coastal Management Program
Submit RFP by May 1, 2008

MDOT Soliciting Local Bridge Program Project Applications
Apply by June 2

What's New

League Guest Blog
Featuring Robin Beltramini, League Vice President and Troy City Councilmember

Sample Resolution: Great Lakes Compact and Water Withdrawal Tool

Sample Resolution: Transportation Funding

Neighborhood Improvement Authority Seminar Resources are Available

Contact State and Federal Affairs Division - 517.908.0305
Arnold Weinfeld, aweinfeld@mml.org
Summer Minnick, sminnick@mml.org
David Worthams, dworthams@mml.org
Andy Schor, aschor@mml.org
Samantha Jones, sjones@mml.org
Andrea Messinger, amessinger@mml.org
Nikole Brown, nbrown@mml.org