For the past year, the League’s Anthony Minghine has been traveling around the state educating people on the need to invest in our communities. They’re our greatest asset and the source of 89 percent of our state’s gross domestic product. We’ve conducted over 50 events and started having real conversations about a balanced approach to municipal finance reform. We’re also working on legislation to address this issue.

A common refrain is that cities should be more efficient with their resources, but in truth, our cities are very efficient. What we need to help them succeed is transformational change. We need to use our resources in the most effective way possible. The way we’ve been doing it has brought us to last place as a state. We’ve lost ground. We won’t survive another recession unless we fix these issues and set ourselves on a different trajectory that allows cities to share in a strong economy.

There are numerous challenges to success:

• 43 new legislators
• Lack of understanding
• Can’t do it alone
• State budget limitations
• Consistent messaging
• Sustaining the message

What If We Hadn’t Lost So Much Ground?

Different economic policies for our state would have produced very different results. If our growth rate had kept pace since 1980, we’d have 14 million people – not 10 million. If we’d kept investing in communities, they would have remained strong. We’ve have millions more in revenue from income taxes, as well as sales and use taxes. Instead, we’ve been building infrastructure as if we were growing – and have less people to pay for it.

How Do We Make Change Happen?

We need to leverage our resources and invest in what matters – our communities. We need all of you to help sustain this message. This is going to be a long game play. You know better than us who in your community needs to know this message – let us know. Everybody needs to know why this matters to them – provide the services they need for their businesses and homes.

You need to talk to people and businesses in your community in a way that resonates with them – explain why services have been cut and the library closes early. Talk to legislators – they have to know this matters and that you’re not going away. At the end of the day, we’re only as powerful as all of you – help us deliver the message.

What Can You Do?

• Sustain the message
• Sign up for our email list
• Help us host a saveMIcity event in your community
• Talk to people outside your city sound box
• Talk to your legislator
• Stay on message

The past is over, but we can create a new day, a new trajectory that will result in true economic growth.