Inside 208

Yesterday the House passed nine bills that would utilize $3.1 billion in existing state resources to improve Michigan’s Transportation system. The League’s Board was able to take an official position of support on these bills during CapCon based on the inclusion of our priorities and the protection of local resources....

Last Wednesday Governor Whitmer gave her seventh State of the State address. It hit on the themes of working together in a bipartisan manner, touted accomplishments, and laid out a few priorities for the upcoming year that she stated in a simple fashion… One… Costs. Let’s make life more affordable. Two… Jobs. Let’s create...

Last month the National League of Cities was asked to testify at the House Transportation Committee’s kickoff hearing to reauthorize the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes from Austin, TX, the Chair of the NLC Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee, testified on behalf of NLC....

The Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4002 this evening, which amends the existing Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) set to take effect on Friday, February 21st. With minutes to spare, the House and Senate negotiated their terms that ultimately made significant changes to the existing ESTA provisions. The following is...

Local Bridge Program: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is pleased to announce the solicitation of applications for candidate projects for the Local Bridge Program. Selected projects will be funded during the 2028 fiscal year (FY). Do not submit projects which cannot be committed to construction within FY 2028. The...

The Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) reminds municipalities that, although not required, they can correct errors in the 2024 Personal Property Tax (PPT) reimbursements distributed in October 2024 and February 2025. The Local Community Stabilization Authority (LCSA) Act provides municipalities an opportunity to review the PPT reimbursement calculations and data...

Local governments of all sizes rely on tax-exempt municipal bonds as a critical tool to finance infrastructure projects and essential public services. These bonds help fund everything from schools and hospitals to roads and utilities—projects that are vital to the well-being of communities across the country. However, with Congress expected...

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has offered to host a webinar to present and then answer questions on the Earned Sick Time Act, which will take effect on February 21st. The League has had discussions with LEO regarding member concerns, so this webinar will specifically be...

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony this week on Senate Bill 15, which would amend the current Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) set to take effect on February 21st. Both the House and Senate introduced bills in January. The House passed House Bill 4002, which makes dozens of additional...

Governor Whitmer presented her budget recommendation for fiscal year 2026. The budget proposal totals $83.5 billion, including a general fund total of $15.3 billion and a school aid budget totaling $21.2 billion. The budget also includes $34.8 billion in federal funds, representing 41.7% of the total budget for FY26. The...