The MML Review March-April 2022

League members and supporters pack the lobby of a state office building following a hearing on the gravel mining issue.

In D.C., American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA): • Active in securing over $4.4 billion in federal aid to all local units in Michigan—regardless of size. • Actively encouraged all League members to apply for ARP dollars. In all, just 40 local governments classified as non-entitlement units (NEUs) out of 1,724 declined funds or were non-responsive. This was a 98-percent acceptance rate. Every city in Michigan accepted its allocation. • Initiated a 50-member+ coalition to develop and advocate for a comprehensive spending plan for the state’s ARP allocation to be invested in local communities. • Supported $1.2 trillion new federal infrastructure spending plan that included $550 billion in new infrastructure spending, promising billions of additional dollars for Michigan. • Helping shape spending priorities within upcoming supplemental bills expected around water infrastructure, broadband, public safety, housing, roads and bridges, local economic and community development, and other key areas. • Actively worked with the National League of Cities (NLC) to negotiate key components to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grant program; submitted written comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury; and worked with NLC staff as they regularly met with administration and treasury staff. • Worked closely with each member of Michigan’s congressional delegation to advocate for the direct support for local governments regardless of population. Since passage, we have worked closely with congressional offices, NLC staff, and Michigan Treasury staff to provide guidance and educational opportunities for League members to ensure smooth implementation of the ARP and now the IIJA. • Encouraged our members to attend multiple White House briefings on COVID-related legislation and action.

• Sent White House statements from our MML Board President and the presidents of our affiliate organizations

for significant federal initiatives. Key legislation initiated in 2021:

• Housing coalition package. The League is serving as an executive steering committee member of a broad coalition that secured Senate passage of a six-bill package providing local governments with additional housing development tools. • Bill introduced in the House to fix conflicts between Headlee and Proposal A. • Veteran property tax exemption reform packages introduced in the Senate and House that would fully reimburse local governments for the costs associated with this expanding exemption. In total, three different packages were introduced between the House and Senate to reimburse locals. • Local speed limit fix proposal passed in the House. • Cannabis Safety Act introduced in the House that provides critical regulatory tools for local governments related to caregivers. • Alternate short-term rental proposal introduced in the House. Key Issues and bills the League continues to defend against into 2022: • Short-term rental zoning preemption—passed in the House late fall, with no action yet in the Senate. • Gravel mining preemption—passed in the Senate in early spring, but no action yet in the House. • Utility grade solar equipment personal property tax exemption. We’re developing a payment in lieu of taxes proposal as an alternative to the Personal Property Tax exemption the governor vetoed at the end of 2020. Matt Bach is the assistant director of strategic communications for the League. You may contact him at 734.669.6317 or mbach@mml.org.

12 THE REVIEW

MARCH / APRIL 2022