Weekly Legislative Reports

July 2, 2009

EFFORTS TO SAVE STATE TROOPER POSITIONS FALL SHORT; 104 GET PINK SLIPS

After legislative efforts to restore funding to retain laid off state troopers were extinguished, the last hope rested on the efforts of the troopers themselves.  However, troopers voted 55 to 45 percent to not participate in the furlough days that most state employees are having to take this summer to save money. If the troopers had been willing to take furlough days, this would have saved approximately $1.7 million needed to retain those troopers cut from the budget through the governor's executive order issued in May.  The result was 104 state troopers were officially laid off this past Sunday.

HOUSE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS LIVESTOCK BILLS THAT USURP LOCAL CONTROL

Legislation aimed at recognizing livestock "guidelines" in law, which appeared to be on a very fast track in the House Agriculture Committee in late June, slowed down enough for committee members to take a second look at it. HBs 5127-28, sponsored by Reps. Mike Simpson (D-Liberty Twp.) and Jeff Mayes (D-Bangor Chtr. Twp.), respectively, would establish animal care guidelines, a third-party (private) auditing and certification program, and an Animal Care Advisory Council. The bills were introduced on June 23 and hearings took place on June 24 and 25. The bills caught the attention of MTA because HB 5127 specifies that the act would pre-empt any local ordinance, regulation or resolution that purports to extend or revise the act or animal care standards adopted under the act. It further states that a local unit of government could not enforce any ordinance involving animal care standards applying to livestock covered by the act. The bills are tie-barred. MTA testified in committee with many concerns and asked how the legislation would interact with the Right-to-Farm Act and the related Generally Accepted Agriculture Management Practices (GAAMPS) sections that deal with the treatment of animals. It is likely that a workgroup of stakeholders will be created to further address the issue. The MI Farm Bureau strongly supports the legislation and had numerous people in attendance.

ENERGY GRANT WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED FOR STIMULUS FUNDING

MTA is partnering with the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) to conduct local government workshops to inform government entities on how to apply for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Workshops will be held in Escanaba, Gaylord, Grand Rapids and Pontiac on July 20-23 respectively.  In addition, a Webcast will be held on Tuesday, July 28 from 9 a.m. to noon for those unable to attend one of the earlier sessions. Additional information and registration details are available at the DELEG Web site at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice. MTA strongly encourages those townships that are non-entitlement communities interested in receiving federal energy grants to participate. Entitlement communities have already been notified of their energy grant awards.

MTA SUMMER LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE JULY 6

If you want to make the early- bird deadline for the MTA Summer Legislative Conference, you better hurry-the deadline is Monday, July 6.  This year's conference will be held Aug. 13-14 in Frankenmuth at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center.  Highlights include the new emerging property tax structure, government efficiency efforts, recall reform, wind energy, road funding and a discussion on the likelihood of a new constitutional convention. The hotel reservation deadline of July 11 is also fast approaching. Golfers are invited to participate in the MTA golf outing preceding the conference on Aug. 12 for a mere $40 per person.  Further information and details are available at the MTA Web site at www.michigantownships.org/summerforum.asp.

MTA OFFICES CLOSED FRIDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF JULY 4 HOLIDAY

The MTA office will be closed tomorrow, Friday, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The Legislative Report will resume its normal Friday schedule next week. Have a great 4^th!

To view a past Report, click here.

If you are an elected township official and your township is not receiving our Weekly Legislative Report and you would like to receive it, please click here to get our sign-up form.