Tell Lawmakers to Vote No on Personal Property Tax Bills, Sample Letters Available
 The Michigan Municipal League is encouraging our members to write their lawmakers today in opposition to bills that would eliminate significant portions of the personal property tax that help fund services in cities, townships, villages, counties, schools and libraries. Newly updated sample letters to send to your Michigan Senators and Representatives are available here. Just go to the blue action alert box and follow the instructions starting by clicking "take action". The Senate is considering voting on this package this week. MORE>
State
Affairs Update
 Senate Committee to Consider Exception to Governmental Immunity - Today, the Senate Energy & Technology Committee is holding a hearing on Senate Bill 1084, a bill that would create an exception for governmental immunity for a municipal corporation with respect to its obligations under the MISS-DIG Act. The bill redefines "proprietary function" as an exception to governmental immunity and specifically defines acts under the MISS-DIG Act to be proprietary functions rather than governmental functions. This would create liability on behalf of our communities that damage a utility's underground storage facility even while undertaking quintessential governmental functions such as replacing sewer lines, rebuilding roads, etc. MORE>
House Committee to Consider Limiting Local Colocation
Cell Phone Tower Pre-emption Passes House
House Passes Medical Marijuana Package
House Passes Bill to Increase Tribunal Interest Rates
House Tax Policy Committee Takes Up Two Assessment Notification/Error Bills
House Committee Passes Veterans’ Tax Exemption Bill With Amendment
Treasury Puts Out Info Regarding Changes to Principal Residence Exemption
Interacting with the State - Michigan Shared Services Community
Federal Update
 Proposal to Prevent Automatic Budget Cuts in 2013 Introduced - House Budget Committee Chairman, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), has introduced a plan to stop mandatory across the board spending cuts required by last summer's debt deal. The plan is actually meant to prevent any cuts to defense spending but targets cuts to other areas of the federal budget. Ryan's Sequester Replacement Act, H.R. 4966, would eliminate language in last year's Budget Control Act that requires the cuts to 2013 spending, known as the “sequester.” MORE>
Congressional Transportation Conference Committee Set to Meet
2013 Federal budget - House and Senate Talking Different Languages
21st Century Communities
 Local Initiatives Giving Individuals Opportunity for Financial Stability - Communities across the country are undertaking efforts to help individuals and families reach financial self-sufficiency. Such financial empowerment efforts are bringing together key stakeholders to provide greater access to financial education, income-boosting supports and tax credits, financial products and services, savings tools and consumer protections. MORE>
Five Miles of Highway or 333 Miles of Pedestrian/Biking Access?
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
Michigan Municipal League Works to Launch Natural Gas Purchasing Program This Summer
USDA Announces Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants
The Fund Book - Free Federal Funding Resource |
