LANSING, Michigan – About 20 Michigan mayors from
throughout the state attended the annual Michigan Association of Mayors luncheon at the state Capitol in Lansing. The mayors met with their lawmakers to discuss the most pressing issues
facing their communities, such as the decline of revenue sharing and the new bills introduced today that regarding the personal property tax that would cut hundreds of millions of dollars to local communities. View an Inside 208 blog post about the PPT bills here.
During the event, MAM President Jacqueline Noonan, mayor of Utica, and Dearborn Mayor John B. “Jack” O’Reilly Jr. were interviewed by Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio about the personal property tax issue and the dramatic impact it could have on Michigan communities. In addition, Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley stopped by and discussed the PPT with several mayors, including O’Reilly, Hastings Mayor Bob May and Hastings Mayor Pro Tem Brenda McNabb-Stange. Other mayors attending were Barb Dempsey, Mt. Clemens; LaVern Dittenber, AuGres; Deb Doyle, Durand; Gregory DeMars, Adrian; Ron Gillham, Huntington Woods; John Hoppough, Greenville; Lee Kilbourn, Auburn; Clarence Marsh, village president of Galien; Suzanne Pixley, Eastpointe; Dan Ruiter, Ferrysburg; Jim Rynberg, Fremont; Alice Sproule, Omer; DeAndre Windom, Highland Park; Juan Zamora, Leslie; and Paula Zelenko, Burton.
Other attendees included League CEO Dan Gilmartin and League Lansing staff Summer Minnick, Andy Schor, Nikki Brown, Samantha Harkins and Jason Mancini.
In response to the personal property tax bills introduced today, the League tomorrow (Wednesday, April 18, 2012) will participate in a press conference regarding the issue. The press conference is by the Replace Don’t Erase coalition and is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Go here for the press conference details. We expect dozens of League members and supporters to attend and a Senate hearing on the issue will follow at 11 a.m.
View photos from the MAM reception here in this set on flickr.
Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 734-669-6317 and [email protected].
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley (center) talks with members of the Michigan Association of Mayors Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Lansing. View additional photos in this set on flickr.