Inside 208

The application period for the first round of the Competitive Grant Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2014 has been extended.  Applications will now be accepted through January 24, 2014. Visit the Department of Treasury’s website for more information. Samantha Harkins is the Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal [...]

Last week the House Local Government Committee heard testimony on HB 5102, a bill that would eliminate the requirement that county treasurers make a printed copy of the tax rolls available for inspection, if the tax roll is maintained on a computerized database. Now under the law, the State Tax [...]

Patricia Lockwood, Mayor Pro Tem of Fenton, was elected to the National League of Cities Board of Directors over the weekend at their Congress of Cities and Exposition in Seattle, Washington. Mayor Pro Tem Lockwood was selected from a large candidate pool and will serve two years as Board member. [...]

Yesterday the House passed House Bill 4624, a bill that would make a full-time firefighter’s ability to work as a firefighter in another community a prohibited subject of bargaining.The legislation is supported by the fire chiefs and the Michigan Townships Association. The League is opposed to this legislation as it [...]

This week the Governor signed Senate Bill 352 (now PA 161 of 2013), a bill that would create a tax exemption for disabled veterans. This new law specifically exempts from property taxes real property used and owned as a homestead by a disabled veteran who was discharged from the Armed [...]

The package of blight bills related to communities who have administrative hearings bureaus, SB 35-39, passed the full House of Representatives today.  An amendment was added on the house floor from Rep. Banks (D-Grosse Pointe Woods) that would state any property holding a principal residence exemption containing blight violations would not be [...]

Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee reported Senate Bill 536, a bill that would allow local units of government to exempt an “eligible economic development group” from property taxes for a period of five to seven years. In order to receive this abatement a local unit must pass a resolution allowing [...]

The House Regulatory Reform Committee passed out of committee HB 4257 (Denby, R-Fowlerville), a reintroduction from last session.  This bill amends the Michigan liquor control code dealing with redevelopment liquor licenses. According to a recent determination by the Liquor Control Commission, only businesses in cities are eligible for redevelopment liquor licenses.  This determination [...]

A bill to allow local communities to enter into written agreements with other local governmental units for election activities passed the Michigan House of Representatives yesterday and now heads to the senate. HB 4878 would allow a city or township clerk to enter into a written contract with the county or another [...]

The Michigan Municipal League needs your help TODAY in opposing a bill that would further limit when you can place new millage questions on the ballot. This bill is a complete infringement on the control of local communities like yours. Please contact your state Representatives today and the lawmakers listed [...]