Displaying items tagged: Michigan Municipal League

GRAND RAPIDS — Legislation expected to be reintroduced this session could address the question of whether downtown residential property owners should help pay for the services currently funded only by assessments on commercial businesses. Although former Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed similar legislation, lawmakers could revive bills this year that would allow local taxing authorities to decide whether residential owners in business improvement districts should also pay the assessments that commercial property owners pay. 

State lawmakers are trying for a third consecutive session to codify rules over property tax assessments that municipalities say have cost them millions of dollars in revenue.

MACKINAC ISLAND — It’s been nearly one year since Kalamazoo became a “laboratory” for a new form of philanthropy-backed municipal finance.

MACKINAC ISLAND — Michigan political and business leaders generally agree that the state’s infrastructure, workforce development and talent efforts need further investment. 

Mayors and city officials across Michigan consider economic development a top priority in their communities, but they tend to put more emphasis on placemaking and quality of life than jobs and entrepreneurship.

Business and local government advocates aren’t always aligned on policy issues, but both groups say 2018 will require concerted efforts to attract and retain talent in Michigan.

A proposal to prohibit local units of government from banning short-term rental properties like those found through Airbnb has attracted lobbyists from both sides to the state capital in recent weeks.

As Michigan prepares to begin licensing medical marijuana businesses at the end of this year, the industry hopes for a windfall of new business and development opportunities, at least for communities willing to take advantage of them.

As Michigan prepares to begin licensing medical marijuana businesses at the end of this year, the industry hopes for a windfall of new business and development opportunities, at least for communities willing to take advantage of them.

As Michigan prepares to begin licensing medical marijuana businesses at the end of this year, the industry hopes for a windfall of new business and development opportunities, at least for communities willing to take advantage of them.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday denied an appeal from big box retailer Menard Inc., effectively ending the so-called “dark store” practice of property valuation in the state.

Michigan’s House and Senate may be in recess for most of the summer, but legislative issues continue to percolate. Advocates continue their work to move forward a range of legislation, including bills that would bring back tax credits for the redevelopment of historic buildings and another that would curb a controversial tax loophole. MiBiz checked in on the status of the two packages.

MACKINAC ISLAND — Despite generally strong economic activity and considerable private sector investment, even cities like Grand Rapids struggle to keep up with increased demands for public services. 

Michigan legislators hope to make another go with a bill aimed at curbing a tax loophole popular with large retailers.

Economic developers from West Michigan and across the state increasingly find their roles shifting.

GRAND RAPIDS — Stakeholders from around Michigan say they’re impressed with the results the Grand Rapids Economic Development department cited in a recent report detailing the performance of various project incentives.

As Michigan legislators prepare to enter their final session of the year, policy watchers across the state are closely monitoring legislation that could get a vote in the lame duck session. 

Eight years after voters approved the use of medical marijuana, Michigan lawmakers have agreed to a regulatory framework for the commercial growing and selling of marijuana to qualified patients.

As Michigan’s private sector continues to expand, municipal executives remain concerned that the state’s local units of government have limited options to share in that growth.  

Legislation aimed at closing a controversial tax loophole today cleared a major hurdle.

With a decades-long background as a real estate appraiser, State Rep. David Maturen believes he’s the right legislator to curb a controversial practice for property tax appeals that drains municipal coffers.