Michigan Municipal Leauge Review Magazine March/April 2023

ELECTION RESULTS BRING CHANGE TO LANSING AND OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON RECENT SUCCESS By John LaMacchia T he election in November of 2022 ushered in change in Lansing like we haven’t seen in 40 years. Democrats now hold the offices of Governor, Secretary of State, These successes are not the result of one years’ worth of work, but a culmination of having an engaged and active membership, strategic partnerships and education campaigns, and thoughtful coalition building. Ultimately, this work helped to shape historic levels of investment, including a $4.7 billion

and Attorney General. In the Legislature, Dems have slim majorities in both chambers. Additionally, voters supported three constitutional amendments regarding women’s rights, voting rights, and term limits. Coupled together, the shift in power and these constitutional changes could have a profound impact on the work in Lansing and the future of our state. While our advocacy efforts are currently looking to the future, it is important to recognize that 2022 included significant legislative wins that invested billions of dollars into communities, infrastructure, and housing. At the same time, the erosion of local control around short-term rentals and aggregate mining were prevented.

budget supplemental that passed in March of 2022 that was primarily dedicated to leveraging American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds with resources at the local level to amplify the impact and create shared prosperity. Other highlights of this investment include: Water Infrastructure: • Allocated $1.77 billion to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, replace lead service lines, and address emerging contaminates

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MARCH / APRIL 2023

THE REVIEW