Inside 208

We understand that the U.S. Senate is voting on an Amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution which will support the Marketplace Fairness Act either today, or over the weekend. The Amendment would bring sales tax parity with online retailers by allowing states to collect sales taxes on internet transactions. It...

Earlier this week the League testified in the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee regarding EVIP. We once again emphasized the decade of disinvestment in local units of government and encouraged the committee to increase the amount of funding for EVIP, particularly as the administration has recommended increases for many other...

As Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Dave Camp held his first hearing on the impact of tax reform on local governments this week. As part of this discussion, Congress is considering eliminating the federal tax exempt status of municipal bonds. We continue to need your help!...

This afternoon the Senate Tax Policy committee considered several pieces of legislation. One bill, SB 25, creates an appeal process through the Department of Treasury to allow consideration of retroactive reimbursement for more than 3 years of a principle residence exemption if the mistake is made by the tax collecting...

This morning the Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee considered SB 173, a bill that would prohibit local units of government from passing an ordinance or policy requiring private employers to mandate either paid or unpaid leave time for its employees. The committee heard additional testimony and received a number...

Durand Mayor Deb Doyle, Linden Mayor David Lossing and East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett lay out the League’s legislative priorities during a media roundtable event March 18, 2013 in Lansing. (View the full press release here. View more photos here.) LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League and local leaders held...

Yesterday the House Commerce Committee passed House Bill 4249, a bill that would prohibit local units of government from passing an ordinance or policy requiring private employers to mandate either paid or unpaid leave time for its employees.   The Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee also heard testimony on...

Yesterday the House Tax Policy took testimony on House Bill 4147, a bill that would allow a village, township or qualified city to levy police and fire special assessments other than on an ad valorem basis. Last session the League took no position on this legislation and continues to take...

Yesterday the House Tax Policy Committee passed HB 4121, a bill that as substituted would allow local units of government to exempt property purchased from a school district from real property taxes for five years. The committee passed version is available here: HB 4121.pdf (89.54 kb) As it passed committee...

Yesterday the House Commerce Committee considered House Bill 4249, a bill that would prohibit local units of government from passing an ordinance or policy requiring private employers to mandate either paid or unpaid leave time for its employees. While we do not know of any communities who have such policies...