Controversial energy bills get committee nod despite MAC opposition Legislation to usurp local control over the siting of solar and wind power facilities advanced out of a House committee this week, despite voiced opposition from MAC and others. MAC testified in opposition in another tense hearing of the House Energy Committee hearing on Wednesday on […]
Senate approves juvenile justice reform bills A portion of the 20-bill package to make sweeping reforms to the juvenile justice system, and which is backed by MAC, gained approval in the Michigan Senate this week. The Michigan House had planned action on the bills but did not take any. Senate Bills 418-423, 424, 425, 426, […]
Storey urges county leaders to ‘prepare for four’; MAC members fill board slots, approve policy platforms The coming year will be an historic one in Michigan county government, MAC Board President Jim Storey a 2023 Annual Conference audience this week after being sworn in as the association’s 115th Board president. Speaking on the theme of […]
During regional caucuses held at the Michigan Counties Annual Conference Oct. 1-3 in Kalamazoo, MAC members re-elected four members of the 16-member MAC Board of Directors: Stan Ponstein of Kent County Richard Schmidt of Manistee County Joe Bonovetz of Gogebic County Jim Storey of Allegan County Storey also was sworn in on Oct. 2 as […]
Juvenile justice reform package clears House, Senate committees A 20-bill package to reform juvenile justice work in Michigan cleared House and Senate committees this week. Senate Bills 418–437 and House Bills 4624–4643 are a result of the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform’s recommendations provided last July. The Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform […]
Expansion of binding arbitration clears Senate committee Legislation to extend binding arbitration to county correctional officers has advanced this week, despite opposition from MAC and others. House Bill 4438, by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Oakland), was approved by the Senate Labor Committee unanimously on Thursday. A substitute was adopted during the committee process to include all […]
Revenue Sharing Trust Fund bills clear committee with unanimous support By a unanimous vote this week, the House Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance voted out legislation to create a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, a key MAC priority in 2023. House Bill 4274, by Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), and HB 4275, by Rep. Mark […]
Four seats on the MAC Board of Directors will be filled on Oct. 2 at the 2023 Annual Conference. The commissioners who filed for seats in this cycle are: Region I, Seat B – Joe Bonovetz, Gogebic County (seeking 3rd term) Region II, Seat B – Richard Schmidt, Manistee County (seeking 3rd term) Region III, […]
Conference early-bird prices end at 5 p.m. today County leaders wishing to attend the 2023 Annual Conference, Oct. 1-3 in Kalamazoo County, have until 5 p.m. today (Sept. 8) to utilize the early-bird price of $415 for members. Starting tomorrow, a full conference registration will cost a member $490. In other conference news, the performance […]
Governor’s speech carries concerns for county governments Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her fall legislative priorities that included a push for clean energy, streamlined permitting and increased election security in a speech on Wednesday. While the governor traditionally delivers a State of the State Address annually in January, her presentation this week felt very much like […]