Inside 208

April 24, 2012

Bill Requiring Locals Report Past Due Taxes on Tax Bills Successfully Amended

If you recall a few weeks ago, the League testified in opposition to SB 972, a bill that would require locals report past due tax amounts on each tax bill. League staff worked closely with the sponsor’s office, Sen. Hildenbrand,…

April 24, 2012

State Cell Tower Collocation Bill Passes Senate

The Senate unanimously passed SB 1064 today, a bill regarding collocation of wireless communications equipment on an existing tower. While the League is still philosophically opposed to the legislation, we appreciate Sen. Kowall's willingness to work with us in addressing our concerns. …

April 23, 2012

Community Foreclosure Response Toolkit Announced

The Michigan Foreclosure Task Force today launched a free, online Community Foreclosure Response Toolkit -- a unique, user-friendly, one-stop-shop resource to allow community stakeholders like your constituents to easily find the basic information, resources, strategies and best-practice models they need to respond effectively to the ongoing…

April 23, 2012

Cell tower collocation issues subject of FCC webcast

On Tuesday, May 1st, the Federal Communications Commission, in cooperation with the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), will host an educational workshop addressing collocations of wireless and broadband antennas on communications towers and other structures. The workshop will…

April 20, 2012

Cancer presumption legislation in Senate committee next week

On Wednesday, April 25 the Senate Economic Development Committee will be taking up SB 94, a bill that creates a cancer presumption for firefighters. This legislation has passed the House the last two sessions, and it would increase municipal costs…

April 20, 2012

Senate Hearings on PPT Elimination Set for Tuesday and Wednesday

The Senate Finance Committee just posted two additional hearings on the Administration's proposal to eliminate portions of the personal property tax. The hearings are set for next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24th and 25th at 12:30pm in the Boji Tower,…

April 20, 2012

Senate Committee Relaxes 3rd Category for EVIP/Statutory Revenue Sharing

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to substantially change the 3rd category for EVIP/Statutory Revenue Sharing for the 2012-13 Fiscal Year. Under the change is SB 954, local communities would be able to comply with the third category regarding employee compensation…

April 19, 2012

Personal Property Tax Elimination Hearings Begin in Senate

The Senate Finance Committee began testimony 24 hours after legislation was introduced to exempt portions of the personal property tax. The bills, SBs 1065-1072 would exempt all PPT under $40,000 in taxable value immediately for commercial and industrial. And, they…

April 19, 2012

Transportation extension may break logjam

With a 90 day extension of the current transportation authorization law already in place, the House has passed a bill that would add a additional 90 days and sets the stage for a conference committee with the Senate on their own…

April 18, 2012

Local Officials Call for Guaranteed Replacement of Personal Property Tax Cuts

LANSING, Michigan - Officials from throughout the state representing cities, schools, libraries, police and fire stood together Wednesday and called for guaranteed replacement of Personal Property Tax dollars that Michigan lawmakers are proposing to cut. On Tuesday, Michigan legislators introduced…

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