Category Archives: Legislative Link Articles

Transportation Asset Management Fall Conference

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The Annual Fall Asset Management Conference will be taking place in Escanaba, Michigan on Thursday October 24th. This will be a great opportunity for you or DPW/City Engineer to get caught up to date on the latest in Transportation Asset Management. Michigan Municipal League Executive Director Dan Gilmartin will be participating in a panel discussion outlining the views of MML on various transportation issues. The brochure for the conference can be found below.

2013 Fall Asset Management Conference Brochure

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

 

Timeliness Report for Bridge Safety Inspections for Local Agencies Released by MDOT

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MDOT has released the the timeliness report for bridge safety inspections for local agencies. A copy of the report can be found below.

Local Summary Sept 2013

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

League Testifies in Support of Vulnerable Roadway User Legislation

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Today the Michigan Municipal League offered their support for legislation that would help strengthen protections for Vulnerable Roadway Users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Under HB 4792 and HB 4799 a person who commits a moving violation and injures or kills a Vulnerable Roadway User would be subject to fines, community service, or imprisonment.

The League has advocated for complete streets and talked about the importance of creating livable communities that support the safe interaction of all modes of transportation. Support for this legislation helps further that advocacy.

The House Criminal Justice committee did not vote on this legislation today but we are hopeful that these bills will be voted on in the near future.

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

DEQ to Offer Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater (SAW) Grant Seminars

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The DEQ is now offering grants for stormwater and wastewater asset management plan development, stormwater management plan development, sewage collection and treatment plan development, and state funded loans to construct projects identified in an asset management plan or stromwater management plan.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide information and tools to understand the new SAW eligibility, guidance, and assistance on the application process. The seminar has been designed to provide relevant and timely information to municipal officials, drain commission offices, municipal supervisors, managers, operators, and consulting engineers.

Seminar date are September 17th, 19th, 24th, and 26th. For registration information and location details please click here.

For frequently asked question please visit: FAQ. For general information about SAW grants please visit: SAW Grants

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

Applications Being Accepted for Federal Lands Access Program

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands (EFL) Division will be accepting applications for Federal Lands Access Program funding via electronic submittal through October 4, 2013.

Projects eligible for FLAP funding include transportation facilities such as public highway, road, bridge, trail, or transit system that is located on, adjacent to, or provides access to Federal lands for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in a State, county, town, township, municipal, or local government.

For further information on how to apply please see the following letter sent to the League by MDOT. Call for Projects FLAP Program

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

New MSU Report Proposes Solution to Abandoned Private Property Problems

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Michigan State University has released a report suggesting ways to help deal with certain blighted, abandoned private property. In the report they suggest performance bonds, or something similar, that could be used to help with the tear down after certain commercial or industrial developments are no longer in use. They provide examples of other industries that use this mechanism as a way for the public to avoid bearing the cost of the end of the life cycle of these private sector developments. League CEO, Dan Gilmartin was quoted in the press release on the topic, saying this type of creative thinking is just what we need to help us solve themany issues that come with blighted abandonded parcels in our communities. The press release can be read here. The report can be found in the link below.

Private Property Abandonment _Full Report_6-25

House Appropriations Committee Votes to Cut CDBG Funds in Half

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The US House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development voted to cut Community Development Block grant (CDBG) funding to communities in half from $3.08 Billion in 2013 to $1.6 Billion in 2014. This reduction is on top of the cuts from the sequester. An amendment by Rep. Fattah (D-PA) would have restored the funding to $3.3 Billion, but was defeated along a party line vote. Please contact your Congressional Representatives and tell them how important CDBG funding is – and that communities cannot absorb a 50% reduction. For Contact information for your Congressional leaders, click here.

Summer Minnick is the Director of Policy Initiaves and Federal Affairs. She can be reached at 517-908-0301 or sminnick@mml.org.

Contact Your Congressional Representative to Move Marketplace Fairness in House

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Now that the Marketplace Fairness bill, referred to also as the online sales tax parity issue, has moved to the US House of Representatives, local officials need to be contacting their Congressional Representative to urge them to move the bill. Currently, the House introduced bill, H.R. 684, is in the House Judiciary Committee. But, while the bill is not up for the full House yet, we still need to communicate with our delegation so they know how important this issue is to local communities. You can get contact information for your member of Congress here.  This parity would bring hundreds of millions in lost revenue back to Michigan! Urge your Congressperson to Support the Marketplace Fairness Bill!

Summer Minnick is the Director of Policy Initiaves and Federal Affairs. She can be reached at 517-908-0301 or sminnick@mml.org.

ORV Legislation Another Step Closer to the Governor’s Desk

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This week the the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes moved three bills designed to help expand ORV use in Michigan for residents and tourists.

Senate Bill 50 would allow the DNR to create free ORV riding days. These would be similar to the free fishing weekends currently established by the DNR and would allow riders to use Michigan’s trail system without purchasing a license.

House Bill 4284 would establish a process for local units of government to approach MDOT with a request allowing ORV use on State Trunklines within their jurisdiction. It would also allow MDOT to designate State Trunklines for ORV use for the purpose of connecting trails or for access to food, fuel ,or lodging.

House Bill 4299 would expand the ability of a local unit of government to pass an ordinance allowing or preventing ORVs on roadways under their jurisdiction to all 83 counties.

Through discussion with the sponsors of these bills the League has worked to improve our communities local control over ORVs while maintaining high safety standards for riders, increasing access to trails and promoting tourism in Michigan.

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

Representative Lauwers and Representative Callton to Host Transportation Town Halls

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Please mark you calendars and spread the word about more transportation towns halls coming up this month.

  •  Representative Dan Lauwers, Tuesday June 25th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Location: St. Clair County RESA, Woodward Development Center Cafeteria, 499 Range Road Marysville, MI 48040
  • Representative Mike Callton, Tuesday June 25th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Location: Ionia County Commission on Aging, 115 Hudson St., Ionia, MI 48846

We encourage you to attend these town halls and help spread the League’s message about funding a complete transportation system that is built to support all users.

 

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