Senate Makes Significant Changes to Personal Property Tax Bills, League Responds with Neutral Position
 Last week, the Michigan Senate made significant changes to SBs 1065-1072, the package of bills which exempt significant portions of personal property taxes. The League participated in many negotiations with key Senate Republicans and other local government organizations on this issue in the past several days. Late Wednesday they proposed making significant changes to the bills in exchange for a neutral position from the League, in order to signal good faith negotiations as the bills move over to the House. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 League Calls on Legislature and Governor to Restore Community Revitalization (Brownfield) Money to Communities - The Michigan Municipal League today is calling on the Governor and Legislature to appropriate the $100 million that was committed to communities for economic gardening and revitalization when the redevelopment credits were eliminated. For many years, communities throughout Michigan used Brownfield and Historic and MEGA credits as incentives to clean up properties, revitalize communities, and attract jobs. Last year, these credits were eliminated by the Legislature and were replaced by two new programs - the Community Revitalization Program which provides funding for cleanup and redevelopment, and the Business Development Program which uses cash to lure businesses to Michigan. MORE>
New EVIP, Public Act 152 Forms Now Available; Deadline is June 1
Indemnification Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee
Senate Passes Its Own Medical Marijuana Package
Governmental Immunity Exception Receives Hearing in Senate Committee
Long-time Kentwood Mayor Richard Root Honored for Years of Government Service
Interacting with the State - Michigan Shared Services Community
Federal Update
 Transportation Conference Committee Meets -The conference committee charged with crafting a new federal transportation authorization act met for the first time last week. And although the first meeting was more about ceremonial introductory statements by members of the committee, a willingness to negotiate was noted by all. Behind the scenes, staff is working on ironing out differences on the least controversial parts of the bill. Issues such as construction of the Keystone pipeline will no doubt be more difficult to resolve. Another complicating factor is time. MORE>
FY 2013 Federal Budget Update: House Passes Level Funding for COPS
Traffic Sign and Other Regulations Eliminated or Curtailed
2013 Federal budget - House and Senate Talking Different Languages
21st Century Communities
 Governing Magazine Leadership Forum to be Held June 7 - Governing Magazine, in partnership with the League and other private and public sector organizations, is hosting a forum in Lansing on June 7designed to focus on issues of importance to state and local government officials. The forum is similar to others being held by Governing in state capitols across the country. MORE>
Local Initiatives Giving Individuals Opportunity for Financial Stability
League CEO Dan Gilmartin to give keynote address at Partnership Conference May 31
Sustainable Communities Leadership Academy Set for June 7-8 in Lansing, Sign Up Today
USDA Announces Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants
The Fund Book - Free Federal Funding Resource |
