Inside 208

The Community Revitalization and Business Attraction program will see a $20 million dollar increase for fiscal year 2013-2014, for a grand total of $120 million in the pot.  The governor recommended the $20 million increase, while the Senate recommended a $10 million increase and the House recommended a decrease.  The [...]

State lawmakers are finally beginning the process of restoring more than a decade of cuts to Michigan communities. Thanks to the urging of Michigan Municipal League members in recent days, the state’s conference committee this morning approved a 2014 state budget agreement that includes a 4.8% increase in statutory revenue [...]

This morning the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. The League testified about the need for local control and clarity in the Act. We were joined by two city attorneys, Clyde Robinson (Kalamazoo) and Stephen Postema (Ann Arbor) who detailed how those cities have [...]

A series of articles about the financial plight of Michigan cities is being posted from the online-publication, Bridge Magazine. Two of the best entries in the series are a guest viewpoint by Michigan Municipal League President David Lossing, Linden mayor, about the concerns municipalities have over the Economic Vitality Incentive [...]

For years the League has been working on a tax reduction loophole that was created due to the 2002 Michigan Supreme Court case of WPW Acquisition Company v. City of Troy. After Proposal A created the term taxable value, the Legislature passed legislation that allowed for an increase and decrease [...]

UPDATE: The 4.8 percent increase is now included in the latest budget agreement so the sample letters to the lawmakers have been removed. Read more about this good news for Michigan communities. Michigan Municipal League Board President David Lossing sent letters to state senators and representatives Tuesday (May 21, 2013) [...]

This morning the House Regulatory Reform committee reported House Bill 4743, a bill that adds some new provisions into the existing Michigan Fireworks Safety Act. The committee substitute combined House Bills 4743 and 4744 to allow local units of government to regulate consumer fireworks between midnight and 8 am on [...]

The Michigan Fitness Foundation offers an opportunity for all communities to start their own Labor Day tradition by hosting a Labor Day Community Walk. Labor Day Community Walks showcase the unique parks and recreation spaces in the local community’s own backyard. The event also gives the community a chance to [...]

Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee considered two bills that would create tax exemptions for disabled veterans. Senate Bill 104 would allow a community to give a tax exemption to a qualified disabled veteran. This is an option for a community and not a mandate. The committee also considered Senate Bill [...]

Today the House Local Government committee held testimony on SBs 35-39, a package of bills dealing with blighted properties.  These bills would: Senate Bill 35 would allow cities that use administrative hearings bureau to adjudicate blight violations to establish additional civil and criminal penalties on a person who committed a [...]