Inside 208

In what many have called a stunning decision, the Supreme Court has upheld the federal Affordable Care Act by a 5-4 vote.  The decision was stunning because of Chief Justice John Roberts, who voted to affirm the law with the courts 4 liberal members.  Reports indicate that Roberts vacillated and...

Nearly three years since the last transportation act actually expired and some 10 extensions later, Congress has overwhelmingly passed legislation, H.R. 4348, putting in place a two year authorization through September 2014 at current spending levels. That is not to say that the bill doesn’t have its detractors. The more conservative members...

Both the Michigan House and Senate are now their summer recess.  They have one session day scheduled for July and one for August before they return for 3 weeks in September.  After that, they will be out until after the November election with the exception of one day in October. ...

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced $111 million in Community Oriented Policing Services grants to communities across the country. Eight Michigan cities received nearly $3 million. The grants can be used to hire new officers, rehire laid off officers, or rehire officers scheduled to be laid-off. Arnold Weinfeld is Director of...

Muskegon and Detroit are two of the 47projects announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation to receive funds from the department’s TIGER (Transprotation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) 2012 program. In total, 47 projects in 34 states will receive $500 million. Muskegon will receive $1.35 million for the county to extend...

In a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down much of Arizona’s controversial immigration law, stating that a state “may not pursue policies that undermine federal law.” The court ruled that Arizona cannot make it a misdemeanor for immigrants to fail to carry identification that says whether they are...

Last week saw a flurry of activity in our nation’s capital among leaders involved in forging a new transportation bill before June 30th when the current extension runs out. It seems that day by day those in the beltway loop go back and forth as to whether or not a...

Last week after contentious debate on the Senate floor, the Senate held off voting on House Bills 5688 and 5705, bills that allow communities to create lighting authorities as an alternative and cost effective way to finance and operate a lighting system. The bills are permissive and are being championed...

The Michigan Municipal League and the state of Michigan experienced four major losses in the last week with the passing of four strong community advocates in former Harper Woods City Manager James Leidlein, Munising Mayor Pro-Tem Robert “Bob” Beauprey Jr., Milford Village Manager Arthur Shufflebarger, and former Kentwood Mayor Richard Root. These...

Yesterday afternoon the Senate concurred on SB 193, a bill that would amend the fireworks law to beef up sanctions and fire marshal enforcement of the law. Last year the Governor signed the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act. This bill amends that law to do a number of things, including revising...