Inside 208

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony this week on Senate Bill 15, which would amend the current Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) set to take effect on February 21st. Both the House and Senate introduced bills in January. The House passed House Bill 4002, which makes dozens of additional...

Governor Whitmer presented her budget recommendation for fiscal year 2026. The budget proposal totals $83.5 billion, including a general fund total of $15.3 billion and a school aid budget totaling $21.2 billion. The budget also includes $34.8 billion in federal funds, representing 41.7% of the total budget for FY26. The...

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriation act (2024 Public Act 121, Section 952) included three new statutory revenue sharing payments (Taxable Value, Weighted Population, and Yield Equalization). The three new payments are based on multiple factors, one of which is taxable values. To ensure accuracy of the FY 2025 Statutory...

Come listen to Senator Slotkin discuss federal funding issues for communities. The League is sharing this statewide webinar, from Senator Elissa Slotkin, as a resource for local governments to better understand the recent changes in federal policy affecting our communities. Space is limited to the first 1,000 registrants. When: Thursday,...

This week, the Michigan Municipal League released its legislative priorities for the 2025-26 session. The document details eight policies that local government leaders have identified as necessary to foster thriving communities in Michigan. Key components the League’s legislative priorities include: Creation of a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund The League emphasizes...

In one of the strangest lame ducks in recent memory, and maybe ever, the Senate and House appear to be done for the year. The last few weeks were filled with ups and downs, and the type of drama meant for a Hollywood script. This resulted in several big issues...

With only two days left for the Senate to vote, legislation to establish the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, House Bills 4274 and 4275, have not been placed on the Senate agenda. If we want this legislation to pass, we must act immediately and make our voices heard. Now is the...

The Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU) has put out false and misleading statements about the League’s position on Senate Bill 1167. MPFFU states that the accepted amendments in Senate Bill 1167 address concerns raised by the League and is asking their members to “Tell them (legislators) that this bill...

Shortly before midnight on Friday, December 13, the House adjourned until Wednesday, December 18. After four days of marathon sessions, several issues the League was tracking saw movement, while others may be done for the legislative term. We have two major issues remaining for next week. We continue to push...

Thursday’s House and Senate session lasted late into the night and early morning as dozens of bills were swapped between the chambers. In the most disappointing outcome of the evening, the Senate passed minimum staffing legislation, Senate Bill 1167, over the objection of local officials from across Michigan. Fortunately, the...