Inside 208

In the past several days, several federal news sources have indicated that Transportation Sectretary Ray LaHood will continue to serve into Obamas second term. LaHood had made prior statements that he likely wouldn’t stick around for a second term, but it appears as though he has had a change of...

The House has passed SB 1155 – 1158. These bills will allow for more funding from the Great Lakes Water Quality Bond Fund to be distributed to communities.  The Michigan Municipal League indicated support for these bills when they were in committee. Currently a maximum of $710.0 million must be...

Last night the House passed part of the personal property tax package, House Bills 6022, 6024-6026. These bills reflect the PPT reimbursement mechanism identified by the Lt. Governor. The bills were stripped down to their introduced versions and passed in order to satisfy the constitutional five day rule for legislation....

Yesterday the House failed to vote on HB 5780, a bill that would create an exemption to PA 54, the law barring retroactivity when contracts have expired. The legislation passed the House Local Government Commitee last week despite opposition from the League and the other local government associations. Due to...

After putting up the bill twice and not having enough votes, the House of Representatives finally passed SB 909, the main bill in the Regional Transit Authority package. The 3rd time was the charm, as the bill passed on a 57-50 vote (with 3 not voting). The bill passed with...

The Michigan House of Representatives has passed SB 972, which now goes back to the Senate for concurrence then will go to the Governor for his signature. Earlier in the year, the League testified in opposition to SB 972, a bill that would require locals report past due tax amounts...

As the debate over how to reduce the deficit continues, tax expenditures—including the federal exemption for municipal bonds—are going to be on the table.  Please contact your congressional delegation and let them know how important this exemption is for communities. Several deficit reduction proposals, including Simpson-Bowles, either cap or eliminate...

MSHDA has passed along information to the League and our members about a new grant program from MDOT called the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).  The program uses federal transportation funds for activities that enhance the intermodal transportation system and provide safe alternative transportation options.  Some eligible activities that could be...

New Emergency Manager legislation passed the House Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs Committee today. The new language was substituted into SB 865, which passed the Senate last year. The brand new language was just made available to legislators and interested parties. The new legislation would allow struggling local governments to have...

The Senate Local Government Committee passed SB 1244 on a 3-0 vote. This bill prohibits a local unit of government from adopting an ordinance that deals with amateur radios (called HAM radios) and prohibits locals from restricting antennas of amateur radios to heights below 90 feet unless they make certain...