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March 1, 2012

Eminent Domain restrictions pass House – may be tied to transportation authorization

Eminent domain...the words illicit strong opinions from all sides. Michigan officials will recall the ballot proposal adopted several years ago amending our state's constitution to severly restrict those instances in which eminant domain can be used. Now the Congress appears…

February 29, 2012

Two inch rule heads to Governor

This afternoon the House concurred on the Senate-passed version of HB 4589, a bill that reinstates the two inch rule for sidewalk liability. The legislation has a rebuttable presumption that a sidewalk with a defect under two inches wasmaintained by…

February 27, 2012

PA 152 Frequently Asked Questions

This week the Michigan Department of Treasury put out a document to answer frequently asked questions regarding Public Act 152 of 2011. The document may be found on Treasury's website, and the PDF version is available here: Public Act 152…

February 27, 2012

Legislature holds hearings on medical marijuana

Last week the House Judiciary Committee held hearings on medical marijuana and this week the hearings continue in both chambers. Last week the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from the Prosecutors on issues dealing with medical marijuana. The House Committee…

February 27, 2012

2013 federal budget – Transportation, a closer look

Its been about two weeks since the President released his administration's 2013 budget proposal. And while it is just that, a proposal, and there are certainly other issues before the Congress, I thought it would be a good idea to start taking…

February 27, 2012

House transportation bill remains a work in progress

As the Senate seems ready to move forward with floor debate on its version of a transportation authorization legislation, House leaders have stated their intent to revise what came out of committee. It is widely known that the House bill…

February 25, 2012

Senate Transportation bill floor debate to begin – Call Levin and Stabenow to support amendments!

This week, the House and Senate will return from their "in-district" work weeks. While the Senate appears ready to begin floor debate (despite several unrelated amendments to deal with) on a two year authorization bill, S. 1813, the House continues to struggle…

February 22, 2012

Two inch rule passes Senate

Yesterday the Senate passed HB 4589, a bill reinstating the long-standing two inch rule for sidewalk liability. In 2009 the Michigan Supreme Court reversed the two inch rule in Robinson v. City of Lansing. This legislation would reinstate that rule…

February 21, 2012

Michigan Municipal League Leads Off Testimony on Revenue Sharing / EVIP

This morning, I testified on behalf of communities throughout Michigan regarding the 2012-13 budget recommendations for the Economic Vitality and Incentive Program (EVIP, formerly statutory revenue sharing). Joining me was Tony Minghine, Associate Executive Director of the League.Before we testified,…

February 20, 2012

Michigan Municipal League Sets Training to Qualify for Next One-Third of EVIP Funding

The deadline to qualify for the next one-third of Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) funding is May 1, and the League is here to help. The Michigan Municipal League is having a free webinar 10-11 a.m. March 8 to help…

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