Inside 208

The Small Urban Program is looking to advance previously committed projects from FY 2014 to 2013. They are asking you to review the attached list and notify them if projects can be advanced by April 1, 2013. To qualify, all projects must be design ready with program applications submitted to [...]

LANSING, Michigan – Several Michigan cities have recently approved resolutions calling for increased support for Michigan’s transportation system. The Michigan Municipal League last month called for our members to consider passing such resolutions and then sending them to state Legislators. So far resolutions have been drafted and approved in the [...]

We understand that the U.S. Senate is voting on an Amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution which will support the Marketplace Fairness Act either today, or over the weekend. The Amendment would bring sales tax parity with online retailers by allowing states to collect sales taxes on internet transactions. It [...]

Earlier this week the League testified in the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee regarding EVIP. We once again emphasized the decade of disinvestment in local units of government and encouraged the committee to increase the amount of funding for EVIP, particularly as the administration has recommended increases for many other [...]

As Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Dave Camp held his first hearing on the impact of tax reform on local governments this week. As part of this discussion, Congress is considering eliminating the federal tax exempt status of municipal bonds. We continue to need your help! [...]

A package of bills has been introduced in response to the recent highly publicized issue surrounding tax capture for the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Zoo milages.  HB 4458-4464 would prohibit a TIF district from keeping tax increment revenues from ad valorem property taxes levied under the Zoological [...]

The Senate passed legislation Wednesday to avoid a government shutdown set for March 28th. The Continuing Resolution is a $984 Billion spending bill that will fund government until the end of the fiscal year – September 30th, 2013. The CR includes the $85 billion in cuts set forth in sequestration. [...]

This afternoon the Senate Tax Policy committee considered several pieces of legislation. One bill, SB 25, creates an appeal process through the Department of Treasury to allow consideration of retroactive reimbursement for more than 3 years of a principle residence exemption if the mistake is made by the tax collecting [...]

This morning the Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee considered SB 173, a bill that would prohibit local units of government from passing an ordinance or policy requiring private employers to mandate either paid or unpaid leave time for its employees. The committee heard additional testimony and received a number [...]

Yesterday the House Elections and Ethics committee considered HBs 4393-4397, a package that would change filing deadlines for local ballot questions from the current time of 70 days before an election to the 15th Tuesday before the election. These changes were requested by the municipal and county clerks to make [...]