New Your Michigan Campaign Highlights Value of Local Government Services

The Michigan Council of Local Governments (MCOLG), comprised of the Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Association of Regions (represented by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), Michigan Association of School Boards and Michigan Municipal League, announce the launch of the Your Michigan-Live, Learn, Work, Play campaign.

The purpose of this campaign is to emphasize return on the dollar for taxpayers. The Michigan associations representing local-level governmental units established MCOLG to identify opportunities for collaboration and to leverage the strength of each organization's advocacy efforts.

"There are so many discussions taking place regarding taxes in Lansing these days, it is hard to know what local services tax dollars support," said Larry Merrill, MTA executive director. "The Your Michigan campaign is a tool that we all can use to help the public see how their tax dollars are returned to them through local services that they depend upon.

"I encourage our townships to join MTA in embracing this campaign and use the materials provided to educate their communities on how tax dollars are at work for families each day."

Your Michigan focuses on the services-from roads and recreational programs to education and public safety-local government units provide to families across the state. Examples of these services include:

• Your community operates recreational programs and facilities for you and your families.
• Your public schools prepare students for a global economy and attract families, business and commerce.
• Your 115,000 miles of roads are paved and maintained for safe commutes to work and schools, to visit relatives or to go on vacation.
• Your local police and fire departments make neighborhoods a safe place to live.

"Michigan is a great place to live, learn, work and play, and it's because of the incredible public services that taxpayer dollars, local governments and elected officials provide," said Justin King, executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards and MCOLG chair.

Look for multiple materials available through MTA, including fliers and posters that highlight the various services residents receive in return for their tax dollars. There are many uses for these materials; the fliers could be included in your township's quarterly newsletter, while the posters could be displayed in your township hall, fire department and community center.

In addition, information including public service videos and radio spots are available at the Your Michigan Web site.

If your township is interested in using these materials to help residents see how their tax dollars are working for them, please contact MTA Public Affairs Liaison Jennifer Hoff at (517) 321-6467 or e-mail jennifer@michigantownships.org.