Inside 208

In what many have called a stunning decision, the Supreme Court has upheld the federal Affordable Care Act by a 5-4 vote.  The decision was stunning because of Chief Justice John Roberts, who voted to affirm the law with the courts 4 liberal members.  Reports indicate that Roberts vacillated and [...]

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced $111 million in Community Oriented Policing Services grants to communities across the country. Eight Michigan cities received nearly $3 million. The grants can be used to hire new officers, rehire laid off officers, or rehire officers scheduled to be laid-off. Arnold Weinfeld is Director of [...]

Last week after contentious debate on the Senate floor, the Senate held off voting on House Bills 5688 and 5705, bills that allow communities to create lighting authorities as an alternative and cost effective way to finance and operate a lighting system. The bills are permissive and are being championed [...]

The Michigan Municipal League and the state of Michigan experienced four major losses in the last week with the passing of four strong community advocates in former Harper Woods City Manager James Leidlein, Munising Mayor Pro-Tem Robert “Bob” Beauprey Jr., Milford Village Manager Arthur Shufflebarger, and former Kentwood Mayor Richard Root. These [...]

Yesterday afternoon the Senate concurred on SB 193, a bill that would amend the fireworks law to beef up sanctions and fire marshal enforcement of the law. Last year the Governor signed the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act. This bill amends that law to do a number of things, including revising [...]

Last Thursday the House passed House Bills 5566-5570, a package that amends the Emergency Municipal Loan Act to include school districts and amend the criteria for qualifying. One troublesome amendment added on the House floor would prohibit a community from opting out under PA 152 if they want to be [...]

This morning the Senate passed SB 1167, a bill that proscribes a procedure for disincorporation of home rule villages. Many home rule villages have disincorporation procedures in their charters, and the League wants to preserve local control. The sponsor would like a uniform process for disincorporation statewide. We are working [...]

Yesterday the Senate Government Operations Committee passed House Bills 5688 and 5705, bills that allow communities to create lighting authorities as an alternative and cost effective way to finance and operate a lighting system. The bills are permissive and are being championed by the City of Detroit as a cost [...]

Yesterday the Senate concurred on SB 1082, a bill that would more specific define what makes up synthetic drugs and bans those materials. Last session the legislature passed bills to ban synthetic drugs, but the manufacturers of these drugs began using different materials. This legislation is drafted more broadly to [...]

Last week the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee reported SB 1167, a bill that proscribes a procedure for disincorporation of home rule villages. Many home rule villages have disincorporation procedures in their charters, and the League wants to preserve local control. The sponsor would like a uniform process for [...]