Inside 208

Michigan Senate ChamberThe Michigan Municipal League today sent out a statement to the media expressing our appreciation of the state Senate approving a $1.5 billion plan for local road agencies and to repair and replace local bridges. Here is our statement from the League’s Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director:...

The portal select Michigan communities are to use to obtain the American Rescue Plan funding assistance is now open. Communities classified as Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) of Local Government must use this portal to request funding through the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Non-entitlement...

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Rail is now soliciting competitive applications from local road agencies who wish to partner with railroads to improve the condition of railroad crossing surfaces within their communities. There is no cost or obligation for local road agencies to participate in this program....

The Legislature recessed for at least two weeks earlier this week without finalizing a General Fund budget and without allocating any of their remaining GF fund balance or available American Rescue Plan Act funds.  A school aid budget was completed and sent to the Governor in HB 4411, but the...

On Wednesday, the Senate and House both adjorned without any movement of the highly opposed short-term rental preemption legislation, senate bill 446 and house bill 4722. While action on SB 446 wasn't anticipated, the house bill was heavily pushed to be taken up throughout the day for a vote. The...

This morning, the Michigan Department of Treasury finalized the necessary forms and guidance to assist Michigan's 1,724 "non-entitlement units", eligible for American Rescue Plan funding on a per capita basis, to submit their requests to receive their eligible distributions. This will be the first of two distributions that NEUs will...

The House of Representatives has adjorned for the evening without taking up House Bill 4722. The bill was pulled from the agenda. Thank you to everyone who reached out and contacted your state representative today to oppose. Those interactions matter! The House is back in session next week, and we...

The Michigan Municipal League believes short-term rentals are an important and valuable part of the tourist economy for visitors and property owners. Here are two good neighbor policy options that give property owners freedom to monetize their home while maintaining the residential environment that makes their neighborhood enjoyable and livable....

The Michigan Municipal League continues to show our willingness to compromise and find a reasonable and balanced solution on the short-term rental issue. The League is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to this extremely important issue to our communities, and we continue to need our members to contact their lawmakers on...

Today, MIOSHA rescinded the existing May 2021 emergency workplace rules and adopted the Federal OSHA standard that focuses on health care settings where known or suspected COVID-19 patients may be present. Those workplaces may have a higher exposure risk for employees and need continued protections to mitigate the spread of...