Inside 208

The House Local Government & Municipal Finance committee took testimony from business groups, the MML, and other local government organizations on a recently introduced proposal to provide relief for residents and businesses experiencing financial hardship from the current COVID-19 pandemic. As originally introduced, House Bill 5761 would have waived penalties...

The House and Senate Fiscal Agencies and Treasury officials met this morning to determine the revised revenue estimates that will be used in developing the upcoming state budget and to make any needed adjustments to the current year state budget.  You can review the Consensus agreement here – https://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/Consensus.asp. As...

A number of local officials had the opportunity to meet virtually with State Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland) on Monday, May 4, to hear an update on the state budget process and the Legislature’s understanding of the state revenue picture at this time. The senator also wanted to hear first-hand about...

The Michigan Municipal League and our partners at Plante Moran are coordinating to gather data from municipalities across Michigan on the workplace and financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic and how local governments are reacting. Information that is gathered from these survey responses will help to provide benchmarks for municipalities...

Late Wednesday night, the National League of Cities federal advocacy team received word from the US Treasury that the long-awaited guidance on the eligible uses for the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund, included in the larger CARES Act stimulus package, had been released. This federal guidance is critical for determining...

Earlier today our partners at the National League of Cities shared that negotiations between Congressional Republicans, Democrats, and Treasury Secretary Mnunchin on an interim stimulus proposal were coming to a head this weekend.  Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer continue to press for direct federal aid to states and all local...

Last night, our partners at the National League of Cities reached out asking for communities around the country to engage with their members of Congress to urge support for the passage of HR 6467. This bill provides direct federal aid to local governments around the country.  NLC has coupled this...

Late yesterday, the Michigan Department of Treasury circulated the following email to local units of government requesting feedback on potential cash flow concerns local governments may be anticipating based upon current state and local economic conditions. The Michigan Finance Authority (MFA) provides effective, low-cost options for financing to municipalities. MFA...

In working with our partners at the National League of Cities, there has been a flurry of activity this week on the implementation efforts surrounding the recently passed CARES act and new federal proposals to address some of the shortcomings for local governments within the federal stimulus efforts and promoting...

Following the lead of our partners at the National League of Cities, MML staff have been reaching out to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and members of Michigan's congressional delegation requesting flexibility as Treasury develops guidance on "necessary expenditures" related to the authorized use of Coronavirus Relief Funds within the recently passed...