Click on a speaker’s name below to view a short biography.
Tuesday, March 20
3:00 – 4:30 pm
CAPITAL CONFERENCE WELCOME AND GENERAL SESSION
Welcome Remarks
Catherine Bostick-Tullius, Councilmember, Lapeer; President, League Board of Trustees
League Legislative Team Breaks it Down
See today’s political landscape through the eyes of your Michigan Municipal League lobbyists. They will offer their insights on everything from the federal budget, OPEB reform, infrastructure, housing, and much more. Also, with every seat in the Legislature up for grabs and an impending lame duck, they’ll help decode the challenges and opportunities ahead and explain how communities can influence the issues expected to be addressed in 2018.
Speakers
Chris Hackbarth, Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
John LaMacchia II, Assistant Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League
Wednesday, March 21
8:30 – 10:00 am
The National League of Cities and How They Advocate on Your Behalf in Washington
Irma Esparza Diggs, Senior Executive & Director, Federal Advocacy for the National League of Cities, explains their recent efforts on behalf of communities across the country to fight cuts in the federal budget, push for tax reform that promotes economic growth and other critical issues. Irma will also describe the key role individual communities play in their advocacy and how our members can engage on federal issues.
Speaker
Irma Esparza Diggs, Senior Executive & Director, Federal Advocacy, National League of Cities
SaveMICity
For the past two years, the League’s SaveMICity effort has sought to redefine the narrative around local government funding and the real challenges faced by local government. This important fight continues, and we will lay out a vision for what’s next and how you can help reshape our municipal finance system.
Speaker
Anthony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, The League
Wednesday, March 21
1:45 – 3:15 pm
Inside the Capitol Dome: Lansing Insiders Break Down Policy and Politics
2018 is an election year and who better than capitol pundits to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the happenings in Lansing. Come and experience a rapid-fire session where they will share their thoughts on the upcoming elections, statewide ballot proposals, and policy changes that will or won’t happen before the Legislature’s lame-duck session concludes.
Moderator
Kyle Melinn, News Editor/Co-owner, Michigan Information & Research Service
Speakers
Adrian Hemond, Partner & CEO, Grassroots Midwest
Emily Lawler, Capitol Reporter, MLive
Jonathan Oosting, Politics Reporter, The Detroit News