Inside 208

Recently the League staff attended a meeting with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to discuss how they intend to implement the new federal transportation funding law, MAP-21, which Congress passed this summer. The new law makes several changes to the categories on federal funding and provides some additional flexibility...

SB 810 currently in the Senate Local Government and Elections committee would require a village regular election to be held at the general November election. The bill has had one committee hearing and another one is expected this week or next. SB 810 is also tie-barred to SB 811 which...

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 1, the initiative to repeal PA 4 of 2011, the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act. The analysis...

A new Detroit Free Press/WXYZ TV-7 poll finds opposition to Proposal 5 growing across the state, and respected Michigan business columnist Rick Haglund uncovers how and why billionaire Detroit bridge owner Matty Moroun’s is involved in the 2/3 tax vote proposal. Proposal 5 would set in the constitution a requirement that a legislative...

This Wednesday, the House Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee is expected to vote on a package of bills that would expand the current state-based Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Loan Program. HB’s 5673-5676 are tie-barred and together would expand the pool of eligible communities to allow for more access...

On Wednesday September 12, the Senate Local Government and Elections committee took testimony on SB 1220. This bill would amend the governmental immunity law to revise procedures for the resolution of claims regarding sewage disposal system overflows or backups. In doing so the bill as introduced would eliminate the option...

The House Local Government Committee today took testimony on HB 4819 (Ananich). This bill deals with foreclosed properties that are sold at auction, and attempts to address the problem associated with the so-called scavenger auction. According to state law, there must be at least two auctions by the county. The...

Most are now aware that there will be six proposals on the November ballot, one more controversial than the other.  But none is probably quite as dangerous to Michigan’s economic recovery than Proposal 5. This particular proposal would set in the constitution a requirement that a legislative vote on any...

This morning the House Tax Policy Committee passed HB 5806, a bill that would require the Department of Treasury to include information on the state tax form to aid in collecting city income taxes. The bill requires a state income tax form to request certain information from the taxpayer including...

Yesterday the House Energy & Technology committee passed HB 5727, a bill that allows the state to enter into energy performance contracts to reduce energy costs. As introduced the legislation placed a mandate on local units of government to enter into energy performance contracts; however, the bill was substituted to...