Inside 208

Congress released the following details of the proposed federal tax reform legislation: – Ways & Means Cmte Tax Reform Highlights – bill text  https://waysandmeansforms.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bill_text.pdf Following NLC’s lead, MML staff have been talking with Michigan delegation members about preserving the State & Local Tax deduction (SALT) within the federal tax code.  The version [...]

The State Tax Commission met this week and approved a series of tax bulletins important to local units of government: The State Tax Commission at their meeting on October 30, 2017 approved the release of Bulletin 16 of 2017, Inflation Rate Multiplier for 2018.   Bulletin+16+of+2017+-+Inflation+Rate+Multiplier+for+2018.pdf The 2018 Property Tax Calendar.   Bulletin+17+of+2017+-+Assessment+and+Tax+Calendar+for+2018.pdf Recalculating Taxable Values [...]

Please join the Michigan Historic Preservation Network for lunch on Wednesday, November 8, at noon, to kick off the coalition to reinstate the Michigan Historic Preservation Tax Credit! As you know, the Michigan Historic Preservation Tax Credit was an important tool to drive economic revitalization and leverage investment in historic [...]

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has re-evaluated its decision regarding performance audits. Upon receiving numerous audits as well as concerns regarding the value of these audits, MDOT is no longer requesting that these audits be completed and submitted to the department. Therefore, all local road agencies are not required [...]

The League is working with MDOT to get your feedback!  The department would like to engage in a more consistent and aligned approach to satisfying their duty of ensuring local agency program compliance with state and federal requirements.  In order to do so, They need to identify areas of construction [...]

The Senate Finance committee reported a bill package on Tuesday that has been a priority for the League this term.  Following testimony from the bill sponsors, League staff and officials from the city of Coldwater, the committee voted unanimously to send the bills to the Senate floor for further consideration. The [...]

Governor Snyder signed House Bill 4892 (Chatfield) on Monday morning, just in time for the affected communities to print and prepare their November ballots for mailing. Now known as Public Act 118 of 2017, HB 4892 will allow any community that inadvertently followed candidate filing deadlines outlined within their charter, [...]

The federal government has announced it is now accepting applications for the FY 2017 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, with $500 million in available funds for infrastructure projects including roads. The application deadline for the 2017 TIGER solicitation is October 16. The Department of Transportation will hold public [...]

MDOT provides funding assistance for highway-railroad grade crossing surface improvements on local roads. This annual program offers 60% funding for eligible projects, with railroads responsible for the remaining 40% of costs. Projects are selected in compliance with criteria established by state law. After a successful launch in 2017, 2018 Local [...]

The Michigan House voted 92-13 on Wednesday afternoon to send the League-supported House Bill 4892 (Chatfield) over to the Senate for their consideration.  The bill had moved out of the House Elections & Ethics committee earlier Wednesday morning and is on a tight schedule for completion in order to be effective during [...]