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February 1, 2012

Corridor Improvement Authority Legislation Creating Regional Board Passes House

LANSING, Michigan - The Michigan House of Representatives today (feb. 2, 2012) passed HB 5142, sponsored by Rep. Marc Ouimet (R-Ann Arbor). This legislation will allow Corridor Improvement Authorities to have a board consisting of members of different communities. Under…

February 1, 2012

Michigan Public Service Commission publishes annual video competition report

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has released its 2011 Annual Video Competition Report. It may be viewed online here: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/comm/video/ The Commission encourages customers to submit complaints to them if the customer is unable to resolve a dispute with…

February 1, 2012

Michigan Senate committee passes bill to reinstate two inch rule for sidewalk liability

Tuesday afternoon the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed HB 4589, a bill that would reinstate the long-standing two inch rule for sidewalk liability. In 2009 the Michigan Supreme Court reversed the rule in Robinson v. City of Lansing. This is…

January 31, 2012

Two Bills to Retain Property Tax Cap in Tax Policy Wednesday

Wednesday, February 1st, the House Tax Policy Committee will be taking testimony on a couple of bills which retain the cap on property if it is transferred within family to the third degree. The bills are HBs 4753 sponsored by…

January 31, 2012

Bill to Exempt New Homes from Taxes up in House Committee

Wednesday, February 1st, the House Tax Policy Committee is taking up HB 4134, sponsored by Rep. O'Brien (R-Portage) which exempts new housing construction from property taxes until the home is no longer on "development property" - essentially until it is transferred. The League…

January 31, 2012

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Dedicates Transit Center in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - After years of planning and construction, United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood helped dedicate the new state-of-the-art bus transit facility in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. The Wealthy Operations Center project will house the…

January 31, 2012

Legislation limiting local millage questions considered by Michigan House of Representatives

This morning the Michigan House of Representatives' Redistricting and Elections Committee held testimony on HB 5219, legislation that would limit a local unit of government's ability to ask voters for increases in local revenue. It would limit any initiative that…

January 31, 2012

Michigan House of Representatives committee passes legislation penalizing public employee strikes

This afternoon the Michigan House of Representatives' Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee reported HBs 5023-5026, bills that would impose penalties on public employees who strike and would require written consent for a pubilc employer to deduct union dues from wages.…

January 31, 2012

TIGER 2012 grant funding available

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced that $500 million in funding is now available under a fourth round of the TIGER Grant program. Funds will be used for surface transportation projects that have a significant impact on the…

January 30, 2012

Michigan Senate to consider two inch rule for sidewalk liability (again)

Tomorrow afternoon the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee will be taking up HB 4589, a bill that reinstates the long-standing two-inch rule for sidewalk liability. This rule was reversed by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2009, and the Michigan Municipal League…

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