Michigan Municipal League Opposes Bill that Shifts Funds From Local Road Agencies to Counties
 The Michigan Municipal League has major concerns with HB 5304, a bill to require local road agencies that receive less than $50,000 in 2012 to have their funds shifted to their respective counties starting in 2015. The legislation would affect 128 agencies. The League has already met with some legislators regarding the bill, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks. This legislation is part of the 19-bill package released last week in response to the Governor’s special message on transportation. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 Michigan Senate to Consider Two Inch Rule for Sidewalk Liability (Again) - This afternoon the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee will be taking up HB 4589, a bill that reinstates the long-standing two-inch rule for sidewalk liability. This rule was reversed by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2009, and the Michigan Municipal League has been working on legislation to address this concern for several years. MORE>
Michigan House of Representatives Considers Bills Penalizing Public Employee Strikes
Contracting Building Departments Bill Passes Senate Committee
Michigan Municipal League Creates One-Pager on Urban Cooperation Act Changes
Michigan Municipal League Selects Six New Members to League Board of Trustees
Transportation Asset Management Council Conference on April 25
Capital Conference Registration Now Open
Interacting with the State - Michigan Shared Services Community
Federal Update
 U.S. House and Senate Committees to Act on Transportation Funding Legislation - As noted in previous posts, early 2012 is to be the time when the U.S. House and Senate move forward on authorization legislation for a new transportation funding bill. That time has arrived, although given the sharp contrasts in the proposals, there are still plenty of skeptics out there as to whether or not the task can be accomplished. MORE>
Push to Increase Truck Weights on in Congress - Call to Oppose!
Community Development Block Grant Allocations Announced
Firefighter Hiring and Retention Grants Available Through FEMA
Cell Tower siting - Local Control Rebuked by Court
Federal Budget Expected to Be Lean
Deficit Reduction - Members Urged to Pass Resolution
21st Century Communities
 Register Now for Michigan Green Communities Regional Workshops in February - In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Regional Energy Demonstration Centers and the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment, the Michigan Green Communities network will host regional workshops for local government staff and officials in February 2012. MORE>
US EPA Launches New Guides to Local Renewable Energy Projects
Are You Ready for the Community Excellence Award's First Round?
Immigrants Add Economic Value to Michigan
Retrofitting the Suburbs
Discovering Civic Software Through New App Marketplace
“That Michigan Radio Show” Discusses Economics of Place Book with League CEO Dan Gilmartin
“Our Town” Arts Grants Available
Economics
of Place
Book Released, Available from League at Amazon |
