Displaying items tagged: Michigan Municipal League

Officials with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Michigan Municipal League have announced plans to speed up new housing projects across the state by focusing on solutions for infill development.

Legislation similar to bills that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed in 2020 involving the taxation of commercial solar energy developments was reintroduced this summer with changes to gain broader support from local governments.

Arecently published study from Up for Growth, a national housing advocacy and research group, found housing underproduction in Michigan has reached 87,491 homes — a 311-percent increase since 2012. 

For more than a year, advocates representing local governments and realtors have failed to reach common ground on proposed regulations for short-term rental properties — and compromise between the two sides appears far from certain.

State lawmakers this week advanced a housing bill package that seeks to make it easier for developers to build new projects and address a widespread need for housing at various price points.

As companies take varied approaches to in-person and remote work, commercial real estate experts generally agree that office square footage needs will likely shrink with the adoption of more hybrid workspaces.

LANSING — The push for election-year tax cuts gained further momentum today as lawmakers advanced a $1.7 billion proposal crafted by House Republicans to reduce Michigan’s individual income tax rate and raise income exemptions for retirees.

If there’s any certainty about 2022, it’s that Michigan policymakers will have billions of federal dollars to distribute for infrastructure and economic development. 

Individuals investing in Michigan-based businesses could seek a credit on the state’s income tax under legislation proposed in Lansing.

A recent $400 million donation to the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence has again raised questions about Michigan’s municipal funding model and broader issues around philanthropy paying for basic governmental services.

Six Michigan communities are no longer at risk of losing a key U.S. Census designation that determines crucial federal funding for services, a federal agency announced Tuesday.

State lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking compromise in the ongoing dispute between local governments and real estate advocates over short-term rental property regulations.

Municipalities could lose a significant amount of their authority to regulate short-term rental properties under legislation that was approved Tuesday by a state House committee.

Several Michigan communities are at risk of losing crucial federal funding under proposed changes to their designation as metropolitan areas, which local officials say would negatively affect services and economic development efforts.

In Michigan’s 24 cities with local income taxes, work from home restrictions this past year that are still largely in place for office workers have caused multi-million-dollar budget gaps.

Two statewide advocacy groups representing municipalities support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest proposed budget that includes spending to cover income tax revenue gaps, increased revenue sharing and infrastructure investments.

Municipal officials from across Michigan are calling on state lawmakers to pass bills they say would provide certainty and continuity in the face of revenue declines stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

West Michigan cities are examining new policies to expand affordable housing and create a supportive environment for developers as studies show an ongoing need for more units.

A coalition of Michigan local officials is calling on the Trump administration to back additional direct budget aid for municipalities in the next federal stimulus package, maintaining their months-long appeal to avoid a lasting recession.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed two bills that would have effectively deferred summer property tax payments to relieve struggling businesses and property owners during the pandemic.

Two Michigan congressmen behind legislation that would create a $50.5 billion relief fund for small businesses nationwide hope to get it included in the next federal aid package that may come before Congress this summer.

State lawmakers will consider a bill this week that waives penalties for property owners who defer payments on their summer property tax bills because of hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

University of Michigan researchers told state officials at this month’s revenue estimating conference they anticipate a gradual economic recovery in the next few years, resulting in an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent by the end of 2022.

Federal stimulus funding has started trickling into Michigan to offset costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but pressure continues for more sweeping relief to offset losses in sales and income taxes.

Shrinking revenue from sales, income and gasoline taxes could cost state and local governments billions of dollars in the coming months, potentially cutting already stretched services and leading to a prolonged recession without sufficient federal support.

Muskegon County officials are hoping the possible purchase of 377 acres of private land will increase the quality of life and help with talent attraction.

After intense debate in recent years, Holland’s short-term rental pilot program has proven to be less eventful than some city leaders had feared.

When Meijer Inc. last month nearly halved the taxable value of its 195,000-square-foot store in Marquette just a year after it opened, the move set off an outcry from advocates for local government. 

Nearly 600 Michigan communities have reportedly opted out of allowing recreational marijuana businesses, which experts say is the result of uncertainty clouding the 2018 ballot initiative.

Two lakeshore communities are rethinking how former industrial sites will play a role in future development along their waterfronts.