Inside 208

This morning the Michigan House Energy & Technology Committee heard testimony on HB 5342, a bill that would allow Michigan State Police (MSP) communications towers to be used for public and private broadband expansion. Currently the MSP towers are only available for public safety communications. This legislation would expand that...

This morning Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was presented with HBs 4920-4924, bills that would give municipal attorneys the authority to prosecute “super drunk” driving offenses. The bills passed the Michigan Senate unanimously last week. In October 2009 the new “super drunk” driving laws became effective. The law raises the penalty...

The one victory for local Michigan governments coming out of the U.S. House transportation authorization legislation is that an effort to increase truck weights has been defeated, for now. As introduced, the U.S. House bill contained language that would have allowed for increased truck sizes and weights.  But, during committee deliberation, an...

Both the  U.S. House and Senate are moving forward with legislation that would put in place a new transportation funding authorization bill.  However, given the sharp contrasts in the proposals, there is still a great deal of skepticism as to whether or not a compromise can be found before the current extension...

On Thursday (Feb. 9, 2012) Michigan Governor Snyder will unveil his 2012-13 budget proposal. Are more cuts coming? What will it mean for your Michigan community’s budget? Will it be good news or bad news for your city, village or urban township? Michigan Municipal League staff and an official from...

The program that was passed by the Legislature late last year – the Michigan Community Revitalization Program – is now up and running. There is $100 million total for both this program and for the Michigan Business Development Program. These are the state allocated dollars that the Michigan Municipal League...

LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan House of Representatives today (feb. 2, 2012) passed HB 5142, sponsored by Rep. Marc Ouimet (R-Ann Arbor). This legislation will allow Corridor Improvement Authorities to have a board consisting of members of different communities.  Under current law, each community must create a Corridor Improvement Authority...

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has released its 2011 Annual Video Competition Report. It may be viewed online here: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/comm/video/ The Commission encourages customers to submit complaints to them if the customer is unable to resolve a dispute with a video/cable provider. Additional information regarding filing a complaint is...

Tuesday afternoon the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed HB 4589, a bill that would reinstate the long-standing two inch rule for sidewalk liability. In 2009 the Michigan Supreme Court reversed the rule in Robinson v. City of Lansing. This is the second legislative session where the League has been pushing...

Wednesday, February 1st, the House Tax Policy Committee will be taking testimony on a couple of bills which retain the cap on property if it is transferred within family to the third degree. The bills are HBs 4753 sponsored by Rep. Pettalia (R- Presque Isle) and HB 4515, sponsored by...