Inside 208

Earlier this week the House Oversight Committee heard testimony on House Bills 5193 and 5194, bills that amend the Open Meetings Act (OMA) as well as general testimony on changes to the OMA. House Bill 5193 prohibits a local unit from going into closed session in connection with anticipated litigation. [...]

Yesterday the House Tax Policy Committee reported House Bills 5265, 5266 and 5267, bills that would reduce the state income tax. House Bills 5265-6 would reduce the income tax from 4.25 percent to 4.05 percent. House Bill 5267 would allow additional reductions of 0.1 percent if general fund revenue increased [...]

HB 4487, a bill to allow Downtown Development Authority funds to be used for creating and operating a marketing program for local agricultural (think local farmer’s markets), passed out of the full House of Representatives yesterday.  The DDA act does not currently prohibit this type of activity but the sponsor (Rep. [...]

The Regional Transit Authority will receive $2 million in additional funding to help cover administrative costs. SB 608 will appropriate these much needed funds to the RTA which will help cover the cost of staff and other related administrative expenses as they work towards creating a bus rapid transit system [...]

This morning the Senate Appropriations Committee added an amendment to SB 608 that would put an extra $100 million into this year’s budget to help road agencies across this state cover excess snow removal costs that have accumulated this winter. The $100 million will be divvied up through the state’s [...]

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is soliciting applications for candidate projects for the Local Bridge Program; selected projects will be funded during the 2017 fiscal year. The deadline for this application in May 1st, 2014. For more information on the application requirements and the electronic application please use the [...]

The Michigan Road Preservation Association will be hosting their annual workshop April 2nd, 2014. The goal of the workshop is for the speakers to present and discuss with the attendees all aspects of preventive maintenance for city streets and county roads from the owners’ perspective…The emphasis this year will be [...]

This week the House Local Government Committee heard testimony on House Bill 5160, a bill that would allow a local unit of government the option of contracting with the county treasurer to administer tax collection. The bill allows an agreement to let the county collect taxes, and the agreement would [...]

This morning the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 428, a bill dealing with the purchase of U.S. flags by local units of government. The bill passed by the House requires a local unit of government to purchase flags made in the United States if [...]

Yesterday the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee unanimously reported House Bill 4939, a bill that would allow a department head to serve as a city manager. The legislation was prompted by a community in Rep. Knezek’s (D-Garden City) district where the police chief is serving as interim city manager. [...]