Inside 208

We’re pleased to pass along to our members an important announcement regarding new leadership for our state and federal affairs team based out of Lansing. The Michigan Municipal League’s John LaMacchia has been named director of our state and federal affairs team and Jennifer Rigterink has been promoted to assistant...

Municipal leaders across the state held a video news conference today to urge state lawmakers to adopt a Community Stabilization Plan that addresses the dire fiscal situation facing communities across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The highly successful press conference was attended by nearly 10 members of the...

A number of local officials had the opportunity to meet virtually with State Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland) on Monday, May 4, to hear an update on the state budget process and the Legislature’s understanding of the state revenue picture at this time. The senator also wanted to hear first-hand about...

(View  more photos from the event here). About 40 members of all the legislative committees of the Michigan Municipal League gathered this morning (Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019) in Lansing to kick off the year. The League event was highly successful as members from the League’s various legislative policy committees heard...

(Click here to watch the Facebook Live video) We covered a lot of ground in the Michigan Municipal League’s first ever – Monday Morning Live broadcast on Facebook Live. And while the live broadcast that took place 10:30 a.m. this morning is over you can still watch it anytime on...

Following the introduction last week of the 16-bill OPEB reform package, three additional bills were introduced in the House to create a structure that attempts to address the chronic under-funding of revenue sharing for local units of government. Lead by chief sponsor, former Walker city mayor, Rep. Rob VerHeulen, House...

UPDATED (10 a.m., Dec. 6, 2017): The League has been told to expect substitute versions for the 16-bill OPEB reform package sometime this morning or later today. The original package of bills, as introduced Nov. 30, was approved without support from Democrats in House and Senate committees Tuesday and have...

UPDATED (4:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2017): The League’s Chris Hackbarth and Anthony Minghine testified this morning and this afternoon in opposition to the introduced versions of the identical OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefit) bill packages in the Michigan Senate and House committees. Negotiation on these bills is ongoing and we are working diligently with...

A joint House/Senate conference committee met this morning (June 8, 2017) and approved a revenue sharing proposal for the upcoming 2017-18 state fiscal year. Lead by former Walker mayor, State Rep. Rob VerHeulen and State Sen. Jim Stamas, the budget report included a 2.5% increase ($6.2 million) in funding for...

The Michigan Municipal League and our own Chris Hackbarth, state and federal affairs director, were both recognized this week for being among the top lobbyists in the state. The recognition of the League and Chris making a real impact in Lansing politics was part of the 2017 Capitol Insider Survey done by...