Bills Eliminating Fire Protection Grants Pulled From House Agenda
The League successfully convinced legislators to pull two bills added Aug. 25 that would have repealed driver responsibility fees. The fees contribute more than $100 million to the general fund and their elimination would end fire protection grants used by many communities to run fire departments. Read more.
Governor's Budget Solution Spares Revenue Sharing; Work Continues
Revenue sharing was not included in the Governor's proposal to solve the current and FY 2011 budgets. More work is yet ahead as the budget process continues. Read more from the Inside 208 blog on what the proposal does and doesn't include
Mass Transit Gets Boost in Southeast Michigan
A Detroit Free Press editorial explains how mass transit in southeast Michigan – and regionalism in general – got a resounding boost when multiple communities renewed a property tax for SMART bus service. Read more.
Former Michigan Municipal League President G. Stewart Francke Dies
Former Saginaw Mayor and League president, G. Stewart Francke, died at his home in Point Lookout, near Au Gres. Francke was Saginaw Mayor from 1961 to 1965 and served as president
of the League from 1965 to 1966. Francke was instrumental in building the Holland Street Bridge, which was recently named in his honor. More
South Lyon, Novi Work Together on Building Services
The city of Novi will now handle building plan review and inspections for South Lyon, in addition to dispatch services. The cooperation between the local governments is intended to provide efficient, high-quality service while improving the bottom line for both communities. Read more.
Airports Seen as Transportation Centers: A USA Today story looks at how airports are now seeing themselves as full-service transportation centers, where travelers can connect to all other forms of transit. It's a thought-provoking expansion on how "multi-modal" options help create economic development opportunities, one of the eight assets of vibrant communities. Read more.
League Applauds Win for the Cottage Food Industry in Michigan: Two newly signed bills will free local food growers from unnecessary regulation to cook, package and sell such items as breads, pies, jams, herbs and coffee. It's a great boost for the local food movement, an important green initiative. The League also applauds it as a way to encourage more entrepreneurship, another asset of viable, vibrant communities. Read more.
Michigan Film Industry Creating New Niche Markets for Businesses: Small businesses, new startups and entrepreneurs are finding opportunities supplying filmmakers with equipment and services. Read how three local businesses are taking advantage of this emerging niche market. It's a great example of the 21c3 concept at work in local communities. Read more.
New Factory in Holland, Michigan To Power Chevy Volt: Holland, Michigan, is finding itself at the forefront toward powering automobiles with renewable energy. The west Michigan community is getting a new factory that will produce a lithium-ion battery cell that will power General Motors’ new Chevy Volt electric car. Read more from the League’s 21c3 blog.
Traverse City Named Among Top 10 Beach Towns in America: Called the "Malibue of Michigan," Traverse City, Michigan, has been named as one of the Top 10 beach communities in the United States by news.travel.aol.com, ranked among such sun sites as Huntington Beach, CA and Kennebunkport, ME. Read more.
Time is running out for our discount conference rates at Crystal Mountain for the 2010 Michigan Local Government Management Association Summer Conference July 27-30! The hotel block cutoff date is June 27. To make reservations at Crystal Mountain, click here and to register click here.
The League Board of Trustees met June 11and approved the 2010-11 budget. The new budget included a 12 percent dues cut to members while still offering its great informative services and even some new services. Read more.
The Michigan Municipal League’s Review magazine recently had an article focusing on a unique pedestrian-friendly plan that has two southern Michigan communities dreaming big. Read more.
The Michigan Municipal League was in Lansing Wednesday to oppose legislation that we believe would expand Public Act 312. The House did not vote on the issue Thursday. Read more from the League’s Samantha Harkins here and here. Read League President Jeff Jenk's column and view photos.
East Lansing Wins Region 2 Community Excellence Award
The Michigan Municipal Leagues seventh and final region education seminar took place last week and the city of East Lansing emerged as the Region 2 winner of the Community Excellence Award. Read more.
Sign up now for Medical Marijuana Symposium in Washtenaw County
The Michigan Municipal League (MML) and other organizations are are hosting a symposium on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Ypsilanti Charter Township Civic Center in Washtenaw County on the Michigan Medical Marijuana Law. Read more.
Grand Rapids Downtown
Featured in Fortune Magazine
Fortune magazine has done this great article about the revitalization of downtown Grand Rapids. The article Grand Rapids offers good lessons for other cities looking to engineer new growth after the decline of old-economy industries. Read more.
Special Screening is Tonight
On Detroit Documentary
Let’s Save Michigan’s Sean Mann is helping promote a special screening and discussion of the documentary “Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City.” The event is tonight (May 18, 2010) at Wayne State University. Read more.
League Testifies in Support Of Online Legal Notice Bills
The League’s Samantha Jones Harkins and Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry were among several officials to testify before the Michigan House’s Judiciary committee Wednesday, May 12, 2010 in support of legislation that would allow communities to post legal notices online instead of in newspapers.
Michigan Top Five in Census Participation The League’s Arnold Weinfeld writes
about how the U.S. Census Bureau has announced that Michigan is one of a handful of states that has exceeded its mail-in participation rate from the 2000 census. Read more>
League Officials
Testify In Support
of Revenue Sharing
Michigan Municipal League Board President Jeff Jenks, Mayor Pro Tem of Huntington Woods, testified before a Senate subcommittee in Lansing Thursday (April 22, 2010)
in support of a 1 percent increase to the revenue sharing that communities receive. He testified along with Hamtramck Mayor Karen Mejewski and Summer Minnick of the League. Read more>
Radio Show Highlights
Michigan Film Industry
A post on the Michigan Municipal League’s Center for 21st Century Communities (21c3) blog focuses on a recent public radio show segment about the Michigan film industry and whether it has staying power. Read more>
Michigan Communities Awarded Complete Streets Funding
County health departments supporting Detroit, Saline, East Lansing, Houghton, Marquette, Flint, Linden and Jackson were awarded Complete Street grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Read more>
World Expo Theme Is
Better City, Better Life
The theme of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo is “Better City, Better Life.” It sounds a lot like the Michigan Municipal League’s own tagline, “Better Communities, Better Michigan.” Read a post about it from the
League’s Arnold Weinfeld.
Transit’s Next Big Step: Lansing should approve authority
An editorial in the Detroit Free Press supports an “overdue” measure to establish a Regional Transit Authority for southeast Michigan. This effort would put Detroit in a position to better compete for federal transportation funds. Read more here.
Attend Free Webinar About Sustainable Communities Friday
Learn how to get service grants worth more than $150,000 for your community through an online course backed by the Michigan Municipal League. And you can learn about it FOR FREE without leaving the office. Read more.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling Uses
YouTube for Weekly Message
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling has taken to YouTube with weekly video messages about what's going on at City Hall. The Flint Journal reports that two segments have been posted so far. Watch one of his videos here.
Detroit’s Martius Park Wins National
Urban Park Award from Land Institute
Downtown Detroit’s Campus Martius Park has been recognized as the first-ever winner of the Amanda Burden Open Space Award from the Urban Land Institute. The award honors public open space "that has catalyzed the transformation of the surrounding community." Read about this huge honor for Detroit here.
Michigan Municipal League Seeks
Increased Investment in State Roads
The Michigan Municipal League had a news conference recently asking state lawmakers to increase funding to support Michigan’s transportation infrastructure. National experts spoke during the conference. See more photos from the conference here. See the news release about it here. Read an article about it here. Read a story about the Complete Streets session here.
Attend Training to Help
Michigan Compete in Global Economy The League, Michigan State University's Land Policy Institute and a host of other organizations are teaming up to bring local officials and citizens a series of training sessions to better prepare our state to compete in the global economy of the 21st Century. Read more here and sign up for the sessions here. Read this related post called "Not Your Father's Economy."
Detroit Free Press Editorial
Pushes for Transit Systems
A Detroit Free Press editorial pushes for the need for transit systems to move Michigan forward. The editorial is about a package of bi-partisan Transit Oriented Development bills that are backed by the Michigan Municipal League. Read more here.
Attend Road Funding Rally May 4 in Lansing!
Join the Michigan Municipal League in urging lawmakers to fund transportation at a Lobby Day, May 4 in Lansing! Contact Chris Hackbarth to schedule a meeting with your lawmakers while you’re in town for the rally. For details, see the League's Inside 208blog.
An Open Letter to Wife of
Detroit Tiger Johnny Damon
Let’s Save Michigan’s Sean Mann had an open letter to Johnny Damon’s wife posted online in the ModelD website. Mann responds to some reservations that Damon’s wife had about Johnny signing with the Tigers saying that Detroit wasn’t “cosmopolitan” enough for the star baseball player. Clad in a tuxedo, Mann shows what Detroit is made of. Read the full article.
League’s Radio Show Examines Arts, Culture
Arts and culture is one way we can restore prosperity to Michigan. Listen to experts talk about how to revitalize our state on News/Talk 760 WJR.
Arts and Cultural Grants for Michigan Communities Grants to fund up to 40 percent of a local arts and humanities program are being accepted from April 1-Sept. 30 on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Communities Score Victory on Revenue Sharing!
Instead of a cut, communities could be looking at an increase in state revenue sharing dollars if House action March 18 holds through the budget process.
Forbes Names Ann Arbor Top College Sports Town
With its excellent mix of livability and sports, Ann Arbor led Forbes ranking of the Top College Sports Towns, besting Chapel Hill, N.C., and Norman, Okla.
Michigan Municipal League CEO on Generational Divide AnnArbor.com calls MML CEO Dan Gilmartin’s talk at Concentrate Media’s speaker series "a startling revelation about the content of a city’s populace . . ."
Marquette Named “Fan Favorite” in National Contest Marquette won the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations "Fan Favorite" award in a national online contest by taking more than 30 percent of the country's votes!
Grants Available to Help Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Grants are now available to help nonprofit art organizations develop opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music and performing arts.
Flint and Mayville, Mich. Receive Grants to Improve Energy Programs
The cities of Flint and Mayville, Mich. have been awarded energy improvement grants by the U.S. Department of Energy. A total of 43 grants were distributed under the American Recover Act to improve the nation’s energy security.
Learning to Lead in Environment and Energy
“Environment & Energy Epprentice Experience” was a leadership program where teams brainstormed solutions to challenges facing the energy industry.
Lathrup Village Officials Walk Snow with Dan Burden; Workshop Friday
Wednesday (Feb. 10, 2010) was a “snow” day for many, but for Michigan Municipal League staff and others, it was a day for touring the snow-covered streets of Lathrup Village for a walking audit with Dan Burden, who is leading a walkability workshop today in Lansing.
.MML Trustee and Lansing Mayor Runs for Governor
Virg Bernero, Michigan Municipal League board member and Lansing mayor, kicked off his campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor Feb. 8 in Detroit.
Could New Investments in Rail be the Start of a Train Boom in MI? Proponents of rail travel — either high speed rail between states, or light rail trains in cities, or commuter rail lines connecting close cities — say that trains improve people’s quality of life; trains are good for the environment because they take cars off the road; and, building rail infrastructure can create new jobs. Read more>
Governor Granholm to Push Reform Plan in State of the State Address In her eighth and final State of the State address, Gov. Jennifer Granholm is poised to go out with a bang. While her staff is hush-hush about the contents of her speech tonight, she ignited a few fireworks last week by disclosing several points of her reform plan for Michigan.
A Scholarship Opportunity to League's EOA Core Weekender Through the Tim Doyle Scholarship Fund, we are providing 15 free registrations. Please answer and submit the questions below and we will notify you if you have been selected to receive a complimentary registration! More:
Call to Action Resonates at Let's Save Michigan/DIA Event Residents were inspired to take a leading role in revitalizing the state at a recent Let's Save Michigan/DIA event. Depression era art illustrated the campaign’s message.
Lansing Looks to Make Walking More Accessible What makes a city walkable is about more than sidewalks and trails. It's about the way a city is built, the look and feel of the streets, about what there is to walk to.
The Livable Winter Community Winter communities must become more livable to compete with their southern counterparts in today's global market, the CEO of Winter Cities Institute explains . . .
Legislature Reports Costs of Government Mandates The League examines the findings of a survey League members shared in last fall to help lawmakers determine the costs of local government mandates.
Winter Festivals Maintain Momentum in the Off-Season Communities turn up the heat with winter festivals and activities in the off-season. These cultural events put the fun back into our lives when we need it the most!
We Can All Do Our Part to Help Save Michigan
Add this to your list of 2010 to-do's. The "Let's Save Michigan" group is asking residents ring in the new year by making small pledges to help rebuild the state.
Poster Contest Aims to Turn Michigan Around
The "Let's Save Michigan" campaign needs posters that will inspire so the DIA and the League are sponsoring a poster contest with a $1,000 top prize.
Poster Contest Seeks to Inspire Michiganders Proponents of a poster contest to inspire Michiganders say creating attractive cities is the key to turning around the state's economy.
Urge Lawmakers to Stop Another Unfunded Mandate! A bill that would create another unfunded mandate could see action on the House floor Thursday. Please contact your legislators and tell them no more unfunded mandates! Click here for talking points and lawmaker contact information.
Ontonagon Wins $10,000 Grant! With your help, Ontonagon won a $10,000 community playscape improvement grant! The community will now enjoy new playground amenities, including basketball hoops, picnic tables, benches and more!
The League Recognized by the National League of Cities
The National League of Cities has recognized The Michigan Municipal League for its Community Excellence Award program. The NLC Monday (Nov. 23) posted an article about MML’s awards
program on its site.
Michigan Green Communities Challenge; Sign up Now
All Michigan communities are eligible to complete the Basic Challenge, a program designed to reflect the governing body’s commitment to adopt policies and programs of energy efficiency and conservation. If a community decides to accept the Basic Challenge, its governing board must pass a resolution indicating its desire to participate.
"Michigan Main Streets are Alive!" Check out this video done by the Michigan Main Street program to see how people are discovering the variety, uniqueness and fun, right in their home towns while discovering the power of keeping their dollars in their communities.
November 2009
FCC Sets Cell-Tower Siting Limits
The Federal Communications Commission has voted unanimously to adopt an order on a tower siting "shot clock" petition filed by the industry. While the full text is yet to be released, the order sets deadlines within which a local government must act on wireles applications.
Two Thumbs Up: Make Public Safety a Budget Priority
Detroit News, 11/05/09
"The budget Michigan has now is fundamentally flawed. The status quo is not working. The first duty of government is to protect its citizens. It's time for a dramatic new approach, and the best place to start is by making public safety budget priority No. 1."
PA 312 and PA 7 Reforms:
Hope on the Horizon
With continued cuts in state revenue sharing and declining property values, local units of government are looking for ways to cut costs and cooperate with other communities. Unfortunately Lansing is
standing in the way...
Tipping Fee / Solid Waste
Surcharge is Back! Two of Three New Bills Pass Committee Suddenly
Less than 24 hours after the House of Reps. reintroduced a bill package to create a $7.50 per ton recycling/waste diversion surcharge, two of the three bills were adopted in committee...
Rally for Revenue Sharing: Chants Still Echo at the Capitol NO-MORE-CUTS was the
chant billowing out from the Capitol Building steps this afternoon as a mass of community officials and public safety officers rallied for legislators and the governor to restore revenue sharing cuts.
Census: 'Brain Gains' for
High-Tech Cities
Associated Press, 10/28/09
What does Texas--with its 16 different breeds of poisonous snakes and a botched auto industry--have on Michigan? It is among a handful of states benefiting from the surge of college graduates passing up manufacturing centers and former hotspots in the Southwest in favor of life in urban, high-tech meccas . . .
A Time to Give Back
Lathrup Village TimeBank wins statewide award for innovation by Southfield Sun
Nearly two years after its inception, the Lathrup Village TimeBank earned statewide recognition from the Michigan Municipal League for excellence and innovation . . .
Escaping the Sea of Retail Sameness
The Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA has just released a new video which focuses on how Main Street is the heart and soul of a community and that we need to support local businesses in order to create and
sustain vibrant downtowns. Take a look!
We Love Bling – League Wins MSAE Diamond Awards!
Legislative Link wins best association e-News and mml.org takes gold place in website division at the Society of Association Executives Diamond Awards...
How to Save Michigan's Local Communities
These are jolting examples of why reform to control costs is a must. The League is working with legislators to draft important changes that will result in more cost-efficient services and preservation of quality of life . . .
We Love Bling – League Wins MSAE Diamond Awards!
Legislative Link wins best association e-News and mml.org takes gold place in website division at the Society of Association Executives Diamond Awards...
League CEO and Walt Sorg Cover Revenue Sharing & More
Dan Gilmartin, League executive director and CEO, on the air about revenue sharing, saying proposed cuts would be disastrous; the State needs to do more than simply manage the decline . . .
Urge Governor to Veto Revenue Sharing Cuts Call the Governor: (517) 373-3400
The House and Senate passed the general government budget which drastically cuts revenue sharing. Click here for your legislators' votes.
Joint Committee Cuts Revenue Sharing by 11.1 % for FY 2009-10
A joint House and Senate conference committee today approved a revenue sharing cut of 11.1 percent to the combined constitutional and statutory amounts for FY 2009-10. Click here to see specific cuts to your community's revenue sharing.
Energy Block Grant Webinars Get an update on current program activities and a preview of key next steps going forward at any one of three webinars being held this week by the U.S. Department of Energy on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
Supreme Court Rules for Grand Ledge in Critical Water Rate Case
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that, except for the largest systems, municipal water systems providing water to retail customers outside of their boundaries are not required to provide that water at its “actual cost”. More...
Forty-Two Communities to Be Recognized at Convention
As of August 27,2009, forty-two communities have enrolled in the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, a
step-by-step program designed to provide
Michigan communities a template for implementing energy efficiency and conservation
practices. More...
Video: Meet Freshman State Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-27)
Working as a patent attorney with start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, this freshman representative understands intellectual property and is here to help with Michigan's economic transformation . .
2009-2010 League Core Principles
Proposed policy changes recommended for adoption by the League Board of Trustees are available for membership review. The Board of Trustees will review the Principles at its September 22nd meeting and may revise the proposed language before submission to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
Bad times offer big opportunity – National Public Radio features the story of Ryan Cooley and other artists, young professionals and risk-takers who are leading a mini-urban renewal in Detroit.
Mayors Find Common Ground Alpena News, 8/13/09
They may be separated by 130 miles, but the mayors of Alpena and Bay City found a lot in common . . .
Brownfield Cleanup Program Redesign Tell us what you think
The MDEQ is conducting meetings and soliciting feedback on the Brownfield Cleanup Program redesign . . .
Cheap Ways to Revitalize Your Downtown
Metromode highlights a quintet of local initiatives that are helping increase downtown vibrancy in their respective communities.
Video: Meet Freshman State Rep. Tim Bledsoe
Representing the 1st House District, Rep. Bledsoe talks about his legislative priorities, why he decided to take office and the kind of Michigan he wants . . .
Send a Letter on Transportation Funding
Just pick from our sample, editable letters to the editor and enter your zip code - our Action Center will take care of the rest . . .
Ask Lawmakers: What Kind of Michigan Do We Want? Weekly emails keep revenue sharing in front of lawmakers
The League challenges you to contact your lawmakers and help them realize the relationship between funding revenue sharing and Michigan's future. Email them today!
YouTube Videos Highlight Effects of Road Conditions
Drive Michigan's “FixMiRoads” YouTube channel features videos designed to encourage taxpayer involvement and urge lawmakers to increase funding for Michigan’s deteriorating infrastructure.