July 15, 2008

State Affairs Report

Urge Legislator to Preserve Local Zoning Control Today! – On June 26, the Senate passed SB 213 (Birkholz, R-Saugatuck). SB 213 creates a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), but in doing so it also takes away local control by allowing the Michigan Public Service Commission to award a siting certificate for wind siting. The bill states that a siting certificate for a wind farm takes precedence over a conflicting local ordinance, law, rule, regulation, policy or practice. Visit the League's Action Center to contact your legislator today and ask them to oppose SB 213. Contact: Samantha Jones

Granholm Signs Great Lakes Water Compact – Governor Granholm signed bills last week to implement the Great Lakes Water Compact (HB 4343 and SB 212) and create a Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (HBs 5065-67, 5069 and 5073; SBs 212, 723, 727, 858, 859 and 860), which will ensure Michigan's water remains intact to benefit the state's residents and economy. The League joins the rest of the Water Works Coalition in commending the legislative leaders who persisted in this important effort. Contact: Dave Worthams

Streaming Audio: Sen. Allen Promotes Downtown Revitalization Package – Sen. Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) worked closely with the League on a promising economic development package that will provide communities new downtown revitalization tools. Click here to listen as he highlights various components of the new legislation and explains the relationship between downtowns and attracting new residents to Michigan.

MAM Summer Workshop: Register Today! – Attention ALL mayors and village presidents: Register today for the 2008 Michigan Association of Mayors Summer Workshop (August 6-8, 2008)! Members and non-members are encouraged to share in the discussion on employee and retiree health care costs; hear from expert speakers on how to manage these costs and; learn to make retiree health care more affordable for your community! Download the registration form today! Contact: Nikole Brown

CATeam on the Move – The Community Assistance Team (CATeam) will be making its way back to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) later this summer according to a joint announcement released last week by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and MEDC. The CATeam was moved from MEDC to MSHDA a few years ago due to budget constraints. The new arrangement has MSHDA maintaining the lead role in community revitalization (retaining programs like Cool Cities, Michigan Main Street, Blueprints, Cities of Promise and the Downtown Market Grant), while the MEDC will assume responsibility for community development outreach as well as all brownfield and downtown Community Development Block Grant project administration. Contact: Arnold Weinfeld / Andy Schor

Centers for Regional Excellence (Round II) RFP – The Centers for Regional Excellence program Round II Request for Proposal (RFP) is now available. The program increases instances of collaboration to help Michigan communities be more competitive, efficient and effective. Funded through an initial grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the program anticipates selecting at least eight awardees for a grant of up to $25,000. Proposals must be received by September 3, 2008. The full RFP includes information about a conference call on July 22 at 11 a.m. to answer questions/provide information for those interested in responding to the RFP. Contact: Arnold Weinfeld

MML Convention Features Keynote Speaker: Michigan's First Gentleman – Award-winning orator, author, radio host and Michigan’s First Gentleman, Dan Mulhern will share his best leadership wisdom October 4 at the League's Annual Convention on Mackinac Island. Having worked in federal, state and local government, he is a lifelong student of leadership. He admires public service and understands the pressures of budget, political perception and political demands. And as Michigan’s First Gentleman, he brings government and leadership to a personal and anecdotal level as well. He’ll certainly give you plenty think about and take back to your communities! Register today!

Federal Update

Visit the League's Federal Webpage today!

The Buzz

New high rise downtown discussed
Midland Daily, 7/10/08

Save the Date

Elected Officials Academy Core Weekender
July 18-19, Muskegon

PAAM Traffic Safety Training Program: Nuts & Bolts of OWI Arrests
July 29, Sterling Heights

PAAM Traffic Safety Training Program: Nuts & Bolts of OWI Prosecution
July 30, Sterling Heights

MAM Summer Workshop
August 6-8, Sterling Heights

2008 Michigan Downtown Conference
Sept. 8-10, Bay City

MML Annual Convention
Oct. 1-4, Mackinac Island
Register by 9/12/08 to Save!

Grants & Projects

Community Energy Project Grants
Apply by July 15

MI Downtown Conference Call-for-Award Nominations
Apply by July 15

Centers for Regional Excellence (Round II) RFP
Apply by Sept. 3

What's New

Check out the League's One-Pager Plus information sheets

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
What Cities Need to Know

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