Inside 208

From Secretary LaHood:  I am writing to ask you to participate in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s on-line survey on categorical exclusions. Your responses—and those of other key stakeholders—will give us valuable information as we consider whether to develop any new categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)...

At the November 6, 2012 general election a number of ballot initiatives will be presented to Michigan voters. The Citizens Research Council (CRC) has issued a comprehensive review of Proposal 3, asking voters to amend the Michigan Constitution to require electric utilities to provide at least 25 percent of their...

The Michigan Department of Treasury released the new PA 152 (Public Employer Contributions to Medical Benefit Plans) hard cap amounts  on September 18th, 2012. These caps will apply to medical benefit plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2013.  This represents an increase of 3.5%. Click here for the document – http://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/CY2013PA152MedicalBenefitLimits9-18-12_398502_7.pdf ...

LANSING, Michigan – Several municipal attorneys were honored during the 2012 Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) municipal law program in Lansing Oct. 20, 2012. The recipients of the numerous awards were: – William L. Steude Ethics and Civility in Local Government Award went to Ronald Keefe, Marquette city attorney....

Today, the Senate Economic Development Committee passed SBs 1291 and 1292.  These bills would provide for regulation of a new product on the market that allows any web access device to be used to remotely control security and other devices (heater/air conditioner, etc) in a home or business.  The main...

SBs 1293 & 1294 received their first committee hearing this morning in the Senate Insurance committee. These bills come from the Governor’s Special Message on Health and Wellness in September 2011. This legislation would transition Blue Cross into a nonprofit mutual company, as is the case in 18 other states....

The House Local Government committee has announced a hearing on a new bill introduced last month would amend PA 54 of 2012, the law prohibiting retroactive wage increases, to exempt police officers and firefighters. The hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, September 27, at 9 a.m. HB 5780 seeks to...

On Wednesday September 20, a four bill package (HBs 5673-5676) was reported from the House Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee. All four bills passed unanimously by a vote of 9-0. These bills will provide more flexibility and expanded options for those municipalities that need to fix its sewers and water pipes....

On Thursday September 27 at 9am the House Transportation Committee is expected to hold a hearing on the proposed Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for Southeast Michigan. The hearing is expected to be testimony only. The League will be there to testify in support of the RTA. Currently RTA legislation (SB’s 909, 911,...

Information regarding a new round of EPA grant funding for a technical assistance program for brownfield impacted communities has recently been announced.  The deadline for proposals is Nov. 14, 2012.  This is a very small grant program, and will take a concerted effort by a community to apply. The EPA, Office...