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Please Fill Out This Survey in Support of COVID Relief for Communities

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The Michigan Municipal League needs your help in getting federal COVID-19 relief support, by filling out this five-minute survey.

Getting information from this survey is extremely important in the fight the National League of Cities (NLC) is doing to get financial support for our communities battling the coronavirus.

The National League of Cities has joined the COVID Relief Now Coalition, in partnership with over 300 major public and private sector organizations, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, U.S. Travel Association, International Franchise Association, and the National Association of Counties. The coalition represents a diverse cross-section of our country and our economy, calling on Congress to pass a bipartisan economic relief package.

The Coalition has developed the survey to ensure that Members of Congress and the Administration know the impact of COVID-19 on our nation. Municipalities of all sizes and from all over the country are needed to fill out the survey in order to make our case.

The COVID Relief Now Coalition shows how important partnership is to highlight the economic impact of the coronavirus. It’s not just municipalities and local governments that are getting hit hard – businesses, industries and services that make our communities great are in danger of closing doors forever.

The League and the NLC are still advocating for you! Please do your part by helping to show Congress that America needs COVID Relief NOW. You can participate in the survey by clicking HERE. [http://nlc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eagGYcN21cci1Nz]

This information will be used not only in support of NLC’s direct lobbying efforts, but also in conjunction with the COVID Relief Now coalition.

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 President Brenda F. Moore in D.C. Fighting for Michigan Communities

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MML President Brenda F. Moore is in D.C. this week fighting on behalf of Michigan’s communities.

Michigan Municipal League President Brenda F. Moore is in Washington D.C. this week for the National League of Cities’ 2020 State Municipal League Executive Directors and Presidents Fly-In. The Saginaw Mayor Pro Tem is being accompanied by the League’s Anthony Minghine, COO and Deputy Executive Director.

This annual event, which started yesterday and continues today, provides State Municipal League leaders an important opportunity to advocate for city priorities with the 116th Congress and network with peers from across the country.

The League’s Anthony Minghine and Brenda F. Moore at the office of Senator Gary Peters in D.C.

On Wednesday, NLC’s Federal Advocacy staff had a briefing to provide an update on the top issues facing cities in 2020.

Today, Moore has a full day of meetings with Members of Congress, as well as key Committee leadership.

MML Members Meet with Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters in Busy Few Days in D.C.

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MML Members and Staff Meet with Senator Debbie Stabenow during the 2019 NLC Congressional Cities Conference (March 12, 2019).

Wow, what a series of busy days for Michigan Municipal League members and staff in Washington D.C. during the 2019 National League of Cities Congressional City Conference. Below are some words and photos to explain it all: Here is a blog promoting League involved in this year’s Conference, which concludes Wednesday, March 13.

View more photos from the event here.

So far this week members of the Michigan delegation spoke at education sessions during the Conference and talked and met with numerous Michigan members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator Gary Peters; and U.S. Representatives Dan Kildee, John Moolenaar, Paul Mitchell, Andy Levin, and Bill Huizenga. They also me with William Crozer, special assistant to the President and deputy diirector of White House Intergovernmental Affairs.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters meets with League Members and Staff during the 2019 NLC Congressional Cities Conference in Washington D.C. (March 12, 2019).

Those from Michigan attending include League President Melanie Piana, Ferndale City councilwoman; Brenda Moore, Saginaw Mayor Pro Tem; John Schrier, president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys; Pauline Repp, Port Huron Mayor and vice president of the Michigan Association of Mayors. Piana also spoke at an event in D.C.

Congressman Kildee of Flint also was one of the speakers at the NLC event and talked about the value of communities, how the Flint Water Crisis is a symptom of a much larger financial crisis facing communities throughout the nation.

Other ways League staff and members were fighting for Michigan communities in D.C. this week:

Dan Gilmartin speaks about local governments need to partner with the federal government to make a difference for infrastructure improvements during the 2019 NLC Congressional Cities Conference in Washington D.C. (March 12, 2019).

On Monday: Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League, spoke on a panel at the Conference. The panel was exploring the topic of how to fund infrastructure projects. Gilmartin stressed the importance of having the federal government as a partner when it comes to infrastructure funding. “Our role as local officials is to continue to press the message. The more we press that here in D.C. and back in our states, the more space we create for [Congress] to vote the right way. Learn more about the conference.

On Tuesday: League President Melanie Piana participated in an “Infrastructure Financing Panel” during a briefing for Congressional staff in Washington, D.C. The panel covered the importance of preservation of the tax-exemption, reinstatements of advanced refundings, and the expansion of private activity bonds in order for local government to drive capital infrastructure projects in their communities. .

League President Melanie Piana takes a selfie backstage with Congressman Dan Kildee and NLC President Karen Freeman-Wilson.

Specifically, Piana, Ferndale city councilmember, spoke on the value of municipal bonding and public-private partnerships in Ferndale’s downtown Development on Troy project – a mixed-use (office, retail and resident) endeavor, and a parking deck. Read more.

Here are some selected Tweets from League staff and members in D.C.:

“I don’t know why it is that when it comes to , Congress wants to act like we’re the poorest country in the world, instead of the richest country in the world.” – at
“Our role as local officials is to continue to press the message. The more we press that here in DC and back in our states, the more space we create for [Congress] to vote the right way.” of at
 
Irma Esparza Diggs Retweeted National League of Cities

Had fun today with my colleagues at talking state needs for infrastructure.

 Mar 11

“We have to talk about the size and scale of the problem. We need to be bold. Infrastructure is an asset and it pays back talking about our nations infrastructure challenge

 Mar 11

Hanging backstage with President and Congressman , both supporting infrastructure investment by our federal partners

 Mar 11
“Cities, villages and townships are not special interest groups”- in response to stating local communities need a strong federal partner supporting infrastructure investment.

View more photos from the event here.

League Staff and Members Headed to D.C. to Fight for Michigan Communities

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The Michigan delegation meets with U.S. Senator Gary Peters during the 2018 Congressional Cities Conference.

A large Michigan contingent of city leaders is headed to Washington D.C. later this month for the annual Congressional City Conference put on by the National League of Cities.

Michigan Municipal League staff will assist the Michigan contingent, including the presidents of the League’s five affiliate organizations, in D.C. by arranging meetings with members of Congress and their staff, the White House Intergovernmental Affairs office, as well as other key decision-makers. They will be in D.C. for the annual NLC Congressional City Conference, March 10-13.

The Michigan contingent also will attend numerous education sessions and have opportunities to network and learn from other city leaders throughout the nation. Education sessions planned at the Conference include leading through disruption, advancing racial equity in local government, community and economic development, data-driven government, rules and tools for the ethical leader, a forum on ending veteran homelessness, civil engagement, affordable housing, holistically managing water infrastructure, opportunity zones, leadership in the face of opioid addiction, U.S. Supreme Court and Lower Court decisions impacting cities, and much more.

The Michigan delegation meets with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow during the 2018 Congressional Cities Conference.

“Every year we go to D.C. is important, but this year brings a renewed sense of promise that true change, particularly in the area of infrastructure funding and support for communities, is within reach,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “We will do our best to represent Michigan and fight for all our Michigan communities.”

In recent years, the presidents of the League’s five affiliate organizations have attended this conference to show their support and represent their groups. The five presidents are expected to attend again this year. The five affiliate organizations are the Michigan Municipal Executives, the Michigan Association of Mayors, the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Michigan Women in Municipal Government, and the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys. League staff accompanying the Michigan delegation include Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director; Chris Hackbarth, director of state and federal affairs; John LaMacchia, assistant director of state and federal affairs; Kelly Warren, director of membership and affiliate engagement; and Luke Forrest, director of civic innovations.

Dan Gilmartin with members of the NLC’s task force on housing during its January, 2019, meeting.

As part of the Conference, Gilmartin will participate in a Housing Task Force meeting. Gilmartin was appointed to the NLC’s task force on housing by Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, Ind. The task is comprised of 23 individuals from across the country, among them the mayors of Miami, Charlotte, Oakland and San Antonio as well as council members from Denver, Baltimore, Peoria and Seattle. Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC is the chairperson. In a bit of irony the first convening was January  in Washington at a time that the federal government was shut down. Read a blog about Gilmartin’s housing task force work here.

Daniel Gilmartin to Testify in D.C. Tuesday on Michigan Infrastructure Crisis

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Dan Gilmartin - CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League

Dan Gilmartin – CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League

WATCH the hearing live here TODAY (March 13, 2018) at 2:30 p.m.: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/

Michigan Municipal League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin will speak before Congress in Washington D.C. this week about infrastructure needs. We all know how ferociously bad Michigan’s roads are. Now Washington, D.C. is going to learn.

Gilmartin has been invited to speak on behalf of local governments regarding state and local transportation infrastructure needs at a Senate subcommittee Tuesday, March 13, 2018. View the official information about the hearing here.

This is a major opportunity for Michigan, Gilmartin and the League to talk about how state and federal government has inadequately supported infrastructure. For more than a dozen years now Michigan has dis-invested in its local communities more than any other state in the nation. Gilmartin and a large Michigan contingent, including League Board President Catherine Bostick-Tullius, Lapeer city commissioner; and League Board Vice President Melanie Piana, Ferndale mayor pro tem, are in D.C. this week talking with congressional leaders as part of the National League of Cities annual Congressional City Conference. This year’s conference theme is “Rebuild With Us: Cities Strong Together” and much of the focus will be on rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.

Some of the scheduled speakers at the conference include Ben Carson, Cabinet Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Gale A. Brewer, Borough President, Manhattan, N.Y.; and Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City.

NLC eventHere is the rundown of the event where Dan will be testifying:

Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: State and Local Transportation Needs

  • Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Before the subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security at the Russell Senate Office Building

Scheduled witnesses:

  • Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director & CEO, Michigan Municipal League
  • Kyle Schneweis, Director, Nebraska Department of Transportation
  • Jordan Kass, President, Managed Services, TMC Division, C.H. Robinson
  • Jo Strang, Senior Vice President, Safety and Regulatory Policy, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

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.