The MML Review March-April 2022

LEAGUE MEMBERS LED THE WAY IN ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN 2021 By Matt Bach

W hen it comes to advocacy efforts, our members had a banner year. League members consistently answered our call, engaging on everything from contacting legislators and fighting short-term rental legislation, to not leaving any American Rescue Plan dollars on the table. With several legislative issues still unresolved, the League will need the continued support of our members in 2022—by sending a letter or email

“It’s excellent to see others recognize what we already know—that Chris and our Lansing team do an outstanding job fighting on behalf of Michigan’s communities every day,” said League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin. “It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and attention to detail to be effective in Lansing and in D.C. But most importantly, it takes a supportive, committed

membership. Fortunately, we have both—a great staff and exceptional members who support us and act when called upon. Together, we are making a difference in Lansing and Washington.” Here are some of the key legislative issues our team handled in 2021 with our members’ support: • House Bill (HB) 4281—Expanded population threshold in Public Act 33’s public safety funding tool to preserve funding for Harper Woods and include a new option for Romulus. • Senate Bill (SB) 671—Transformational Brownfield sunset extension. • SB 698—Extended the freeze on situs for assessing equipment used by remote workers. Bills that became law that the League and our members actively pursued:

to a legislator about an upcoming bill, making a phone call to your State Representative or Senator, encouraging your own residents to act on certain legislation, and testify in a committee hearing in Lansing. These things matter. They make a difference in the League’s advocacy work in Lansing and Washington, D.C. Thanks to this ongoing support and engagement, the League and Chris Hackbarth, MML’s director of state and federal affairs, were named among the most effective membership associations and individual association lobbyists in the state. The recognition of the League, and Chris’s impact in Lansing politics, was part of the 2021 Capitol Insider Survey done by MIRS news service and EPIC-MRA in May of 2021. It’s the third consecutive time the League and Chris were both recognized.

10 THE REVIEW

MARCH / APRIL 2022