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MML Announcement: John LaMacchia and Jennifer Rigterink to Lead State and Federal Affairs Team

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We’re pleased to pass along to our members an important announcement regarding new leadership for our state and federal affairs team based out of Lansing. The Michigan Municipal League’s John LaMacchia has been named director of our state and federal affairs team and Jennifer Rigterink has been promoted to assistant director.

Here’s the full press release going to the media today (Feb. 22, 2022):

Michigan Municipal League’s John LaMacchia and Jennifer Rigterink to Lead State and Federal Affairs Team

John LaMacchia and Jennifer Rigterink to lead MML’s State and Federal Affairs Team.

LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League has selected new leadership for its state and federal affairs team. The League’s John LaMacchia has been named director of state and federal affairs and Jennifer Rigterink has been promoted to assistant director.

As director, LaMacchia succeeds Chris Hackbarth, who is relocating to Northern Michigan. Hackbarth served as the League’s director of state and federal affairs since January of 2015 following his earlier role as a legislative associate for the MML from 2009 to 2011.

“We will greatly miss Chris and wish him well in his new role. Chris has done an amazing job serving our members and has continually been recognized as a top lobbyist in our state,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director for the League. “Chris also has successfully mentored and formed a great legislative team for us and it’s to his credit that we are able to promote John and Jennifer to these roles.”

LaMacchia joined the League in January of 2013 as a legislative associate and later became the assistant director. In 2015, he was honored by the Michigan Society of Association Executives as one of 15 in ’15 Rising Leaders. In addition to his advocacy work, John oversees special initiatives and projects related to the Urban Core Mayors, City Business Collaborative, and the Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan.

“I have utmost confidence in John to lead our legislative team,” Gilmartin said. “As assistant director John has repeatedly taken on more responsibilities with great success, and he was an ideal choice for our state and federal affairs director.”

Prior to joining the League, LaMacchia served as Chief of Staff for former Sen. John Gleason for six years and previously worked in the office of former Senate Minority Leader Bob Emerson. John has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Michigan State University and lives in DeWitt with his wife, Dana, and three children.

“For eight years Chris has served as a mentor and friend, it has been a pleasure working with him and he will be missed,” LaMacchia said. “I am honored that the League has faith in me to lead our amazing team and I look forward to continuing to passionately advocate on behalf of Michigan’s communities.”

Rigterink started with the League in April 2016 as a legislative associate advocating for Michigan’s communities with a concentration on municipal services, economic development, and land use issues.

“Jennifer came to us nearly six years ago from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and quickly transformed herself into an excellent legislative associate,” Gilmartin said. “I know Jennifer and John will do an amazing job representing our members in Lansing and D.C. and leading our advocacy department.”

Rigterink represents the League on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Technical Assistance Advisory Council and sits on the executive committee of the Housing Michigan Coalition. She has a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University. She lives in DeWitt with her husband Chris and two children. She and Chris own a small business called The Mattress Source in East Lansing and Lansing, Michigan.

“I thoroughly enjoy my time with the MML and working on behalf of our members,” Rigterink said. “I look forward to working with John to help guide our team into the future.”

In addition to LaMacchia and Rigterink, other members of the League’s state and federal affairs team are Herasanna Richards, legislative associate, and Betsy DeRose, capital office coordinator.

For additional information, contact Matt Bach, Michigan Municipal League assistant director of strategic communications, at mbach@mml.org and (810) 874-1073.

Michigan Municipal League Well Represented on New Protect Michigan Commission

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The Michigan Municipal League is well represented on a new bipartisan “Protect Michigan Commission” tasked with rolling out a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced appointments to the commission which will raise awareness about the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, education the people of this state, and help protect health and safety of all Michigan residents.

“Michigan is working around the clock to ramp up vaccinations and reach our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day, and with the help of the Protect Michigan Commission we can ensure everyone has a plan to get vaccinated once the opportunity becomes available to them,” said Governor Whitmer in the press release. “The bipartisan members of this group will play a vital role in helping to reinforce the importance of everyone getting the safe and effective vaccine. I am confident that the members of this commission will rise to the occasion and help Michigan end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all.” 

Mayor Waterman

Dr. Deirdre Waterman, League Board Vice President and Pontiac Mayor, has been selected to lead the Local Government workgroup for the new commission and the League’s John LaMacchia, assistant director of state and federal affairs, was also appointed to the commission.

Other League members on the commission are Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke, Marquette City Commissioner Evan Bonsall, Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers, Jackson Mayor Derek J. Dobies, Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph P. Murray, Dr. Lawrence A. Reynolds, with the City of Flint, and Rico Razo, a deputy director for the City of Detroit.

 

The Protect Michigan Commission, formed in December, serves in an advisory capacity to Governor Whitmer and DHHS.

John LaMacchia

The new members are tasked with providing public leadership to elevate and reinforce the importance of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, identifying barriers that may impede the acceptance of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by Michigan residents, which includes identifying areas or groups within this state that are likely to experience vaccine hesitancy, and develop an outreach action plan designed to overcome these barriers. The Commission must complete its work and submit a brief final report to the governor by December 31, 2021. Appointees will serve until the dissolution of the Commission.  

View the full press release from the Governor’s office.

Federal Call to Action: House Releases $3 Trillion Stimulus Plan, Includes $375 In Direct Aid to Local Government

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has released the HEROES Act (HR 6800). It is $3 trillion stimulus plan that would send nearly a trillion dollars to state and local governments. The most significant portion of this proposal is that it would allocate $375 billion in direct assistance to local governments of all sizes to address the fiscal impacts from the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus. View the estimated amount your community would receive under the HEROES Act.

Act now through the Michigan Municipal League’s Action Center.

Local governments – $375 billion

  • $250 billion awarded within 30 days of enactment to all municipalities and counties
    • $125 billion to municipalities using a modified CDBG formula
      • $87.5 billion to entitlement municipalities
      • $37.5 billion to non-entitlement municipalities. These funds will be awarded to states, which must make awards to non-entitlement cities based solely on population within 30 days of receipt.
    • $125 billion to counties based on population
  • $125 billion awarded one year after the date of enactment to all municipalities and counties
    • $62.5 billion to municipalities using a modified CDBG formula
      • $43.75 billion to entitlement municipalities
      • $18.75 billion to non-entitlement municipalities. These funds will be awarded to states, which must make awards to non-entitlement cities based solely on population within 30 days of receipt.
    • o $62.5 billion to counties based on population

Additionally, states would receive $500 billion in aid to deal with the affects of COVID-19. For a full summary of the bill please click here. For a summary of the state and local allocation please click on the following link. HEROES Act State and Local Relief Funds Summary

Call To Action!

In anticipation of the federal government beginning this conversation, the League has reached out to each member of the Michigan delegation asking them to go on record supporting direct assistance to all local governments in Michigan. Now it is time for you to help us weigh in!

We have partnered with the National League of Cities on their “Cities are Essential” campaign. This campaign is calling for $500 billion in direct federal aid and economic relief to support communities on the frontline of America’s response to COVID-19. The House released plan is recognition that our messaging on supporting local government is making a difference and we need to continue our advocacy on this issue.

We encourage each one of our members to reach out directly to their member of congress and ask them to support this effort to provide flexible direct assistance to communities of all sizes in Michigan. You can also utilize the action tool through the “Cities are Essential” campaign by clicking here. This will allow you to send a letter directly to your congressperson, download a letter of support you can sign and even send your congressperson a tweet!

It is anticipated that the House will vote as soon as this Friday so please reach out as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and stay healthy!

John LaMacchia is the Assistant Director of State and Federal Affairs for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

League’s Legislative Committee Kick-Off Gets Members Ready for the Year

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(View  more photos from the event here).

About 40 members of all the legislative committees of the Michigan Municipal League gathered this morning (Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019) in Lansing to kick off the year.

The League event was highly successful as members from the League’s various legislative policy committees heard from state lawmakers, League staff and communications experts. The League’s State Affairs and Membership Engagement led the orientation event. We discussed the committee process and how the committee members can be effective advocates for the League and their own community.

The League makes policy decisions based on the input from its six League policy committees that are broken into topics – energy and environment; economic development and land use; municipal finance; municipal administration and permitting; municipal services and elections; and transportation, infrastructure and technology. View a list of all the committee members below.

Representative Ben Frederick welcomes League committee members to Lansing.

The opening legislative speaker was Representative Ben Frederick, who welcomed the group to Lansing. He was followed by League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin who thanked the members for their service on the policy committees and explained how important their work is to the League’s success as an organization.

Other event speakers were Chris Hackbarth, director of state and federal affairs; John LaMacchia, assistant director of state and federal affairs; Jennifer Rigterink, legislative associate; Emily Kieliszewski, member engagement specialist; and Kelly Warren, director of member and affilate engagement for the League.

The panel included Michigan Senators Jim Stamas, and Jeremy Moss, and state Representatives Jeff Yaroch, and Jim Ellison.

Legislative panel discussion at the League’s committee kick-off event.

The panel was moderated by Kyle Melinn of MIRS News Service. It was a great discussion about everything from revenue sharing to fixing the roads and it’s worth checking out.

Tuesday’s event was wrapped up with a panel discussion about communications, PR and the Insider’s Guide to Lobbying by Dave Waymire, partner with Martin Waymire and Mike Compagnoni, government relations with Midwest Strategy Group.

Here is a list of the 2019 committee members:

Economic Development and Land Use: Tim Wolff, (Chair), Village Manager, Lake Isabella; Greg E. Sundin, City Manager, City of Alpena; Suzanne Pixley, Mayor, Eastpointe; Brad Barrett, City Manager, City of Flushing; Michael A. Hart, Assistant City Manager, City of Fenton; Brad Kaye, City Manager, City of Midland; Jade Smith, City Administrator, City of Milan; Zach Michels, City Council Member, City of Dexter; Kara Wood, Director, Economic Development, Grand Rapids; Josh Jones, Councilmember, Menominee; Julius Suchy, Village Manager, Village of Sparta; Sharlan Douglas, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Royal Oak; Chris Miller, Economic Developer, City of Adrian; Michael Fisher, Chief Assistant City Attorney, City of Livonia; Timothy Dempsey, Deputy City Manager, East Lansing; MaryAlice Adams, Commissioner, Benton Harbor; Brian Urquhart, Planner/Zoning Administrator, Middleville; Scott Adkins, City Manager, City of Roseville; Gabriel Costanzo, City Councilmember, Walled Lake; Larry Moss, City Council, Greenville; Chad Ross, Frankenmuth City Council, Frankenmuth; Christine Zuzga, Planning Manager, Battle Creek; Erich Podjaske, Zoning & Economic Development Director, City of Grayling; Jennifer Cross, City Council Member, Norton Shores; Connie R. Mitchell, Councilwoman-District 6, Inkster; Mark Nickita, City commissioner, Birmingham; Caroline Kennedy, Assistant Village Manager, Elk Rapids; Patrick Reagan, City Manager, Crystal Falls; Willard Redman, Mayor Pro Tem, Hastings; Bob Craig, Vice-Mayor, City of St. Johns; Scott Smith, Mayor, South Haven.

Energy and Environment: Eric Zuzga (Chair), Village Manager, Village of Quincy; Joseph Sova, Utilities Director, City of Midland; Linda TerHaar, Councilmember, City of Saline; Fred Cowles, Government Affair Committee, Michigan Water Environment Association; Robert J Baldyga, City Counci, Portland; Robert Monetza, City councilmember, City of Grand Haven; James Godbout, Council President, City of Westland; Elizabeth Koto, City Planner, City of St. Clair Shores; George Sleeper, City Councilmember, South Haven; Melissa Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director, Ann Arbor; Corey S. Blair, City Council, Algonac; Tony Graff, City Manager, City of Menominee; William Mogren, City Councilmember, North Muskegon; Ross Gavin, Councilmember, City of Berkley; Branden Dyer, Councilmember, Charlotte; Dennis Baldinelli, Mayor Pro Tem, Kingsford.

Municipal Administration and Permitting: Deborah Stuart (Chair), City Manager, City of Mason; Dave Hunsaker, Mayor Pro Tem, City of DeWitt; Clint Bryant, Councilmember, Saginaw; Ann Peterson, Councilmember, Rochester; David Quick, President, Village of Lawrence; Joseph Bippus, City Manager, City of Three Rivers; Don Bowers, City Council, Hastings; Aaron Desentz, City Manager, Eaton Rapids; Jim Kantola, Councilmember, Negaunee; Jeffrey Harris, City Administrator, City of Woodhaven; Brian Earle, Councilmember, Garden City; Doris Taylor, Councilmember, Pontiac; Steve Miller, Mayor, Ludington; Barbara Valentine, Village President, Mayville; Sanya Vitale, Community Development Director, City of Niles; Colleen O’Toole, City Manager, City of Durand; Brad Dick, City Councilor, City of Linden; James W. Hart, Councilmember, City of Westland.

Municipal Finance: Shea Charles (Chair), City Manager, City of Howell; Michael Lesich, Councilmember, Fraser; Brenda McNabb-Stange, Councilmember, City of Hastings; Brandon Fournier, Attorney, Southgate/Woodhaven; William Wild, Mayor, City of Westland; Oliver Turner, City Manager, Sault Ste. Marie; William Lasher, Mayor, Ovid; Matthew Lane, Village Manager, Village of St. Charles; Richard Lerner, Mayor Pro Tem, Farmington Hills; Marie Sherry, Treasurer/Finance Director, City of Dexter; Irv Lowenberg, Treasurer, City of Southfield; Brian Reed, Township Manager, Delta Township; James Wonacott, Village Administrator, Village of Blissfield; Brian Chapman, City Manager, City of Vassar; Dennis E. Champine, City Manager/City Clerk, City of Center Line; Jared Olson, City Manager, City of Roosevelt Park; Greg Mapes, Mayor, City of Alma; Dan Coss, City Administrator, City of DeWitt; Bill Colovos, Councilmember, City of Southgate; Dave Keenan, Assistant City Manager, Midland; Patrick Sullivan, City Manager, Northville; Stephanie Carroll, Manager, Business Development, City of Auburn Hills; Matthew V. Horning, Treasurer, City of Ann Arbor; Russell W. Whipple, Mayor, City of Mason; Rebecca Fleury, City Manager, Battle Creek; Thomas Youatt, City Manager, City of Imlay City; Tracy Bottecelli, City Councilmember, Fenton; David Trent, Village Manager, Village of Grass Lake; Lev Wood, City Councilmember, Grosse Pointe Farms; Derek Thiel, City Manager, Gibraltar; John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator, Ann Arbor; Brenda F. Moore, vice president of Michigan Municipal League,Councilmember, City of Saginaw; Pattie Rayl, Village Manager, Colon.

Municipal Services & Elections: Adam Smith (Chair), City Manager, City of Grand Ledge; Joshua Meringa, Council Member, City of Grandville; Monica Galloway, Councilmember, Flint; Michael Hikade, Councilmember, City of Newaygo; Marcus Peccia, City Manager, City of Cadillac; Mark L. Heydlauff, City Manager, City of Charlevoix; Sandra Howland, Walker City Commissioner, Walker City; Sam Janson, City Manager, City of North Muskegon; Thad Taylor, City Manager, City of Manistee; Lisa Hicks-Clayton, City Councilmember, City of Dearborn Heights; Frances McMullan, City Clerk, City of Ypsilanti; Edwina King, Policy Analyst, Detroit; Sean Canto, Fire Chief, Rochester Hills; Gregory Newman, City Clerk, City of Grand Ledge; Kelly Breen, City Councilmember, Novi; Pamela Colestock, City Council, Eaton Rapids; Chris Swope, City Clerk, Lansing; Carol Stone, Director of HR & Labor Relations, City of Midland; Kathleen Ling, City Commissioner, Mt. Pleasant; Brett Dreyfus, Township Clerk, Meridian Township; Gary Nelund, Mayor, Norton Shores

Transportation, Infrastructure & Technology: Gary Mekjian (Chair), Assistant City Manager, Farmington Hills; Howard Lazarus, City Administrator, Ann Arbor; Rock Abboud, President Pro Tem, Village of Beverly Hills; Devin Olson, City Manager, City of Munising; Michael Misteravich, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Richmond; Susan Baldwin, City Commissioner, City of Battle Creek; Amy Gilson, Director of Public Works, City of Charlotte; Darrel Schmalzel, City Manager, City of Walker; John Martin, City Manager, City of Sylvan Lake; Joe Valentine, City Manager, City of Birmingham; Jeffrey Jenks, City Commissioner, Huntington Woods; Lynn Markland, City Manager, Fenton; Todd Hackenberg, Superintendent of Public Works, Village of Lawton; Samuel E. Ekong, City Council member, City of Northville; Charlotte Kish, Council Woman, City Caro; Thomas E. Eustice, City Manager, City of Cheboygan; Mark Rambo, Deputy City Administrator, City of Kentwood; Tim O’Donnell, Mayor Pro Tem, Ferrysburg; Michael A. LePage, Village President, Pigeon; John Niemela, City Manager, City of Belding; Michael Radtke Jr., Councilman, Sterling Heights; Christian Wuerth, Village Manager, Village of Milford, Carl L Hamann, Village Councilmember, Village of Sanford; Richard Sullenger, City Engineer, City of Alpena; Bob Kittle, City Council & Munetrix, Auburn Hills; William H. Irving, Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Dearborn; Joshua Fredrickson, City Engineer, City of Midland; Tim Neumann, Executive Director, Michigan Rural Water Association.

(View  more photos from the event here).

Watch Our First Monday Morning Live Chat on Facebook

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(Click here to watch the Facebook Live video)

MMLive logoWe covered a lot of ground in the Michigan Municipal League’s first ever – Monday Morning Live broadcast on Facebook Live.

And while the live broadcast that took place 10:30 a.m. this morning is over you can still watch it anytime on the League’s Facebook page here.

Go here to watch it.

Our first one was today and featured a chat led by the League’s Matt Bach, director of communications, with our Lansing legislative team – Chris Hackbarth, John LaMacchia and Jennifer

Our first Monday Morning Live broadcast took place this morning and featured (from left) the League's Matt Bach, John LaMacchia, Chris Hackbarth and Jennifer Rigterink. Tune in for our next one 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3 on the League's facebook page.

Our first Monday Morning Live broadcast took place this morning and featured (from left) the League’s Matt Bach, John LaMacchia, Chris Hackbarth and Jennifer Rigterink. Tune in for our next one 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3 on the League’s facebook page.

Rigterink.

Our next two scheduled Monday Morning Live broadcasts are Monday, Dec. 3 and Monday, Dec. 17.

It’s an active time right now in Lansing with the Lame Duck period of the state Legislature getting underway now and continuing for the next few weeks.

On our first chat, we talked about the November election results, what we’re hearing may or may not come up during Lame Duck, what Proposal 1 legalizing recreational marijuana in Michigan means for our communities and what the first part of next year will be like for our Legislative team.

We also answered several questions from those watching the Live feed, including one question about breed-specific legislation. Jennifer handled that one.

Senate Eliminates Local Control over Transportation Network Companies and Taxi Carriers

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File illustration picture showing the logo of car-sharing service app Uber on a smartphone next to the picture of an official German taxi signIn a move to place Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, limousines and taxi carriers, all under one regulatory framework, the Senate passed HB 4637 by a vote of 31-4. In doing so, the Legislature stripped all local control municipalities currently have over taxi carriers. Regulation of these entities will now be handled by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory affair.

Under this new regulatory framework each entity is required to register with the department, complete a vehicle safety inspection if the vehicle is 5 years old or older, post proper signage on the vehicle, ensure each driver has passed a criminal background check and obtained proper insurance.

Municipalities will only be allowed to enforce certain provisions of this act by issuing civil infractions if the vehicles fail to display the proper signage, the driver doesn’t have proper insurance, if a TNC attempts to solicit a passage through a method other than their digital platform, or if a driver fails to provided a ride to an individual due to discrimination.

The League testified in opposition to the elimination of local control citing several concerns about public safety and the ability for the department to adequately enforce the new provisions within this bill. Amendments to protect a communities ability to stipulate hours of operation, and the location and operation of taxi stands were defeated. Senator Hertel was able to secure an amendment on behalf of the League to ensure taxi authorities created before this act will be able to remain in operation for a period of 4 years.

This bill has been returned to the House where it is anticipated they will concur in the Senate changes and send the bill to the Governor for his signature. We also anticipate that the Governor will sign this legislation.

John LaMacchia is the Assistant Director of State and Federal Affairs for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

LaMacchia: Infrastructure Issues in Flint Symptom of Larger Problem

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The League's John LaMacchia (center, right) and fellow panelists.

The League’s John LaMacchia (center, right) and fellow panelists.

What’s happening in Flint, Detroit and other cities is a symptom of a larger problem. A problem where cities in Michigan are only allowed to fall with the economy but not to prosper as the economy grows. And it’s only going to get worse if we don’t change the way the nation invests in communities.

This was a key message by the Michigan Municipal League’s John LaMacchia when speaking Thursday in Washington D.C. as part of Infrastructure Week 2016. The Infrastructure Week celebration organized by the National League of Cities and its partners is to raise awareness about the nation’s infrastructure needs. Cities construct and maintain the majority of our nation’s infrastructure and depend on a solid infrastructure network to provide safe and healthy communities, and grow their local economies.

The League's John LaMacchia is in Washington D.C. this week for the National League of Cities Infrastructure Week celebration. As part of his work, LaMacchia (center left) met with U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (right).

The League’s John LaMacchia is in Washington D.C. this week for the National League of Cities Infrastructure Week celebration. As part of his work, LaMacchia (center left) met with U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (right).

LaMacchia, assistant director of state affairs for the League, spoke as part of a panel discussion on “Securing Our Water Future: 21st Century Solutions for 21st Century Cities”. Other panelists were Council Member Matt Zone, City of Cleveland, Ohio, and National League of Cities 1st Vice President; Council Member Ron Nirenberg, City of San Antonio, Texas, and Chair, National League of Cities Energy and Environment Committee; Commissioner Heather Repenning, President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles Board of Public Works; Tyrone Jue, Senior Advisor on Environment to Mayor Ed Lee, City of San Francisco, California; Jonathan Trutt, Executive Director, West Coast Infrastructure Exchange; and Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities.

LaMacchia discussed the Flint water crisis and explained how the Flint issue is part of a much larger infrastructure problem in communities statewide.

Some of his key points included:

  • Flint Mayor Karen Weaver and Gov. Rick Snyder agree Flint’s lead-tainted service lines need to be removed. But it will take at least $55 million to replace all the lead-tainted lines. Money for water infrastructure has been put into appropriations bills in the Michigan Legislature and U.S. Congress, but the bills are still making their way through those legislative bodies.
  • The service lines are just part of the problem. The rest of Flint’s water system, from aging water mains to other infrastructure, needs to be totally replaced. The city’s water system loses a large percentage of the water to leaks, one reason Flint has some of the highest water rates in the country. Again, the City of Flint will need help from the state and federal governments to modernize its water infrastructure, a process that is expected to cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • When we look at Michigan as a whole we have neglected to properly invest, maintain and right size our infrastructure.

    The league's John LaMacchia speaks on a panel during Infrastructure Week in Washington D.C. May 19, 2016.

    The League’s John LaMacchia speaks on a panel during Infrastructure Week in Washington D.C. May 19, 2016.

  • For nearly 30 years Michigan has been about 10 million people yet we have increased the amount of infrastructure in the state by roughly 50% and giving little thought to how we would maintain both the old and new infrastructure.
  • Time and time again we have built new water and sewer plants without capitalizing on the existing capacity of a nearby system.
  • This not only speaks to how we have been inefficient in managing infrastructure in Michigan but also how we have disinvested in our communities in general.
  • Why cities are important: Our goal at the Michigan Municipal League is to make Michigan communities places people want to be. Places that can attract a talented work force and businesses. Having placemaking strategies in all communities is important. But it’s hard to even think about creating great places when you’re fighting every day not to drown. How can you attract businesses and a work force if your roads are crumbling, bridges are in disrepair and you’re communities have slashed the number of police officers, firefighters, public works employees and more?
  • The numbers show that some states – particularly Michigan – do not understand the importance of cities as economic drivers. If they did they would be investing in cities. But unfortunately they are disinvesting in cities.
  • According to U.S. Census data all but one state showed growth in municipal general revenue between 2002 and 2012. View chart here.
  • Many want to blame this on a single state recession but the numbers tell a different story.
  • Why is this the case in Michigan – property values decrease in 2008 crash and the Michigan Constitution limits their ability to recover, PLUS revenue sharing to the tune of $7.5 billion over the last decade plus.

LaMacchia concluded explaining Michigan’s system for funding municipalities is fundamentally broken and unless it gets fixed we’re going to see more situations like what’s happening in Flint and Detroit occur in other communities.

Also earlier this week, NLC released a new report called, Paying for Local Infrastructure in a New Era of Federalism. Read a blog about the report by the League’s Summer Minnick.

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org and 734-669-6317.

League’s John LaMacchia in Washington D.C. Talking Infrastructure

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The League's John LaMacchia.

The League’s John LaMacchia.

The Michigan Municipal League’s John LaMacchia will be in Washington D.C. Thursday to participate in Infrastructure Week 2016. The celebration organized by the National League of Cities and its partners is to raise awareness about the nation’s infrastructure needs. Cities construct and maintain the majority of our nation’s infrastructure and depend on a solid infrastructure network to provide safe and healthy communities, and grow their local economies.

LaMacchia, assistant director of state affairs for the League, will speak 2:30-4 p.m. Thursday, May 19, as part of a panel discussion on “Securing Our Water Future: 21st Century Solutions for 21st Century Cities”. The panel discussion will be live-streamed on the NLC’s Facebook page.

Other panelists are Council Member Matt Zone, City of Cleveland, Ohio, and National League of Cities 1st Vice President; Council Member Ron Nirenberg, City of San Antonio, Texas, and Chair, National League of Cities Energy and Environment Committee; Commissioner Heather Repenning, President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles Board of Public Works; Tyrone Jue, Senior Advisor on Environment to Mayor Ed Lee, City of San Francisco, California; Jonathan Trutt, Executive Director, West Coast Infrastructure Exchange; and Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities.

LaMacchia will discuss the Flint water crisis but he’ll explain how the Flint issue is part of a much larger infrastructure problem in communities statewide.

Also earlier this week, NLC released a new report called, Paying for Local Infrastructure in a New Era of Federalism. Declining funding, increasing mandates and misaligned priorities at the federal and states levels have put responsibility for infrastructure on local governments. But what ability do cities have to take up this call? The authority of cities to meaningfully address growing infrastructure challenges is bound by levers authorized to them by their states. The study finds that cities are limited in the number and scope of tools they are authorized to use, and that access to these tools is highly uneven in states across the country. Read a blog about the report by the League’s Summer Minnick.

View the report here: http://www.nlc.org/find-city-solutions/city-solutions-and-applied-research/infrastructure/local-infrastructure-funding-report

View the full infrastructure week schedule here: http://www.nlc.org/influence-federal-policy/infrastructure-week-2016

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org.

Roads Deal Passes Michigan Legislature, Governor Snyder Prepares to Sign

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A school bus travels over bumpy roads. Vote yes for safe roads on May 5.

A school bus travels over bumpy roads.

Late last night the Michigan Legislature narrowly cobbled together the necessary votes to send a road funding package to the Governor Snyder’s desk for signature.

Over the past two-plus years the Michigan Municipal League has consistently called for a long-term sustainable solution that relies heavily on a significant amount of dedicated funding for transportation and doesn’t leave future state and local budgets hanging in the balance. This plan falls far short of that and there simply isn’t enough real revenue for roads in this package.

It’s an over-statement to say that a $1.2 billion plan with $600 million in new revenue and $600 million in General Fund dollars will fix Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure. This is especially true given that two-thirds of the new revenue will simply replace General Fund money already budgeted for roads in the current fiscal year and the plan doesn’t fully phase in for almost a decade.

The framework of the plan includes 7.3 cents gas tax increase and a 20 percent increase in registration fees. Those increases don’t go into affect until January 1, 2017, meaning no new money will be infused into the system for 14 more months. Gas and diesel taxes will be indexed to inflation but not until 2022.

Additionally, the $600 million in General Fund revenue will be phased-in over three years beginning in FY 19 and relies on future Legislatures – some of whom aren’t even elected yet – to appropriate those General Fund dollars to uphold the promises of this current Legislature. History has proven that similar earmarks of this nature have gone unfulfilled.

Plan Details:

• HB 4736  increases passenger and commercial vehicle registrations fess by 20 percent per vehicle beginning January 1, 2017. The bill provides for additional increases for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle registrations. These changes result in a $200 million revenue increase for transportation.

•  HB 4738, HB 4614, and HB 4616, provide for gas and diesel tax increases to 26.3 cents, an increase of 7.3 cents per gallon beginning on January 1, 2017. The bills also implement diesel parity, institute a process for taxing alternative fuels, and tie the fuel tax rate to inflation beginning in 2022. These changes result in a $400 million revenue increase for transportation.

• HB 4370 dedicates $600 million of income tax revenue to transportation phased in over three years, $150 million in FY 19, $325 million in FY 20 and $600 million in FY 21. will This bill also provides $200 million in tax relief by expanding the Homestead Property Tax Credit. According to both the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies that when fully phased-in this will reduce the state General Fund by more that $800 million, or roughly 7 percent.

• HB 4737 requires MDOT and local road agencies to secure warranties, where possible, for construction and preservation projects over two million dollars and mandates new reporting requirements for MDOT and local road agencies on those warranties.

HB 4737 also creates a “Roads Innovation Task Force” that will form no later than December 1, 2015 and prepare a report no later than March 1, 2016. The Roads Innovation Task Force will evaluate road materials and construction materials that will allow MDOT to build roads that could last at least 50 years, will focus on materials and processes that may cost more upfront but produce life-cycle construction and maintenance savings, and concentrates on longer-term time frames that seek to maximize value of the taxpayers of this state

Additionally, HB 4737 creates a Roads Innovation Fund. This fund will collect the first $100 million each fiscal year starting in 2016-17 from fuel taxes and every year thereafter. The funds can only be released once the House and Senate approve a one-time concurrent resolution approving the report done by the Roads Innovation Task Force. Those funds shall be appropriated only for the use of specific higher quality, longer life cycle road construction purposes. Once the concurrent resolution is approved the fund shall no longer annually receive the allocation.

• SB 414 creates an automatic rollback of the income tax. The rollback occurs when General Fund growth exceeds the rate of inflation plus 1.425%. The first rollback could not begin until January 1, 2023.

• HB 4610 allows townships contributing 50% or more to a road project to require an RFP for pavement projects over $50,000 and gravel projects over $25,000.

• HB 4611 requires an RFP process for all projects over $100,000 for MDOT. Local road agencies must do RFPs for all projects, excluding routine maintenance, over $100,000, unless the local road agency affirmatively finds that they can do it themselves for less.

The League believes this plan is overly reliant on existing tax dollars and very likely establishes a foundation for potential cuts to local police and fire protection, higher education, economic development and our ability to attract and retain a talented workforce. It fails to address the key principles for which we consistently advocated – a long-term sustainable solution that invests in our road network, protection of essential services, and fiscal responsibility in regards to future state and local government budgets.

View a League media statement on the roads plan passed by the Legislature.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, and energy issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Proposal 1 Offers Michigan’s Last, Best Chance to Fix Roads with Guaranteed Funding

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John LaMacchia discusses Proposal 1 at a recent Burton City Council town hall meeting.

John LaMacchia discusses Proposal 1 at a recent Burton City Council town hall meeting.

The fate of Proposal 1 will be decided by voters next week (Tuesday, May 5), and there is one thing guaranteed about the outcome: If it passes it will provide a solution to fix Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure and will guarantee funding for transportation, local government, schools. And if it fails? No one can guarantee a solution out of the state Legislature.

That’s the simple message from the Michigan Municipal League’s John LaMacchia, legislative associate, in his many speaking engagements, media interviews and community meetings about Proposal 1 in recent days, weeks and months. LaMacchia has been the League’s voice on Proposal 1 after the League board unanimously endorsed the road funding package in January.

“The one thing that those for and against Proposal 1 agree on is the longer we take to come up with a transportation funding plan, the worse are roads are going to get,” LaMacchia said.

If Proposal 1 passes, it would guarantee, for the first time, that every penny we pay in state fuel taxes goes to transportation.

Bad-bridge-small-for-webLansing would no longer be able to divert taxes paid on gas to some other state program or service.

Here is some additional information about what Proposal 1 would do:

Ballot Proposal:

  • Raises the sales tax from 6% to 7%
  • Exempts sales tax from motor fuel
  • Removes higher education funding from the School Aid Fund
  • Dedicates a portion of the use tax to K-12 education

Statutory Changes Effective Only if Proposal 1 Passes:

  • Increases the tax charged on motor fuel
  • Eliminates the depreciation on vehicle registration fees
  • Increase registration fees on the heaviest trucks
  • Requires more competitive bidding and road warranties
  • Restores the Earned Income Tax Credit to 20% of the federal level

Revenue Generated:

We would fix more roads instead of just fill potholes if Proposal 1 passes May 5.

We would fix more roads instead of just fill potholes if Proposal 1 passes May 5.

Fixing our roads will make them safer by repairing dangerous potholes and improving roadway design. Today, many drivers swerve to avoid dangerous potholes or lose control of their vehicles as a result of flat tires.

According to TRIP, a national transportation research organization, roadway design is a contributing factor in about one-third of fatal traffic crashes. Between 2008 and 2012, 4,620 people died in Michigan car accidents – an average of 924 fatalities per year.

For more information about Proposal 1 go to the League’s Safe Roads Yes! webpage.

To learn more about the Safe Road Yes! campaign go here. View here a series of question and answer videos about Proposal 1. Check out what MML members have to say about Proposal 1. See how much your community will get in additional road dollars and constitutional revenue sharing if Proposal 1 is approved. View which Michigan communities have passed resolutions in support of Proposal 1.

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org. The League’s John LaMacchia can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org.