Michigan Senate endorses flexible use of federal CARES Act dollars
The Michigan Senate called on the federal government to ease restrictions on use of the nearly $3.8 billion Michigan has received from the
CARES Act via a resolution passed Thursday.
Senate Resolution 124, by Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Kent), acknowledges the revenue shortfalls for the state and local units of government and implores Congress to allow the use of these funds to help fill the mounting deficits faced by Michigan and local governments. The State is facing a $3 billion deficit for Fiscal 2020, which ends Sept. 30. Without additional flexibility for CARES funds, severe budget cuts across all levels of government are inevitable. ...
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MAC expresses concern on expungement bill
Counties have concerns with the mechanics of
House Bill 4980, part of a package of bills on expunging criminal records, the Michigan Association of Counties told the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety this week.
The committee took testimony on bills to expand the eligibility to remove specific convictions from the public criminal record. HB 4980 would create an automatic process, in which certain offenses would be set aside without requiring a petition process overseen by a judge.
Countywide elected officials expressed concerns about the automatic provisions during the committee hearing. ...
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Candidates can now file for MAC Board seats
At the 2020 Michigan Counties Annual Conference in August, MAC members will vote on six seats on the MAC Board of Directors.
Commissioners wishing to serve on the Board, whether incumbents or new candidates, have until July 16 to file official notice of their intent to run. Board terms are for three years.
Seats representing regions are filled by a vote in regional caucuses at the conference. At-large seats are filled by the candidate that wins a majority of the six regional caucuses.
The MAC Board of Directors is the key body in guiding the legislative and organizational strategies of MAC. ...
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Policy platform drafts now available for review by members
The drafts were crafted by the association’s policy committees and reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors at its June 5 session.
MAC also will be sending the platforms electronically to counties to share with commissioners.
Since this year’s session will be done electronically, the Board also voted to require that all member amendments for the platforms be submitted in writing to MAC by 5 p.m. on Aug. 7. Amendments will not be accepted from “the floor” during the virtual meeting, whose date has not yet been set, but which will occur between Aug. 18-27 during the Virtual Annual Conference.
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Counties advise on opening status
Counties across Michigan reported they have either resumed public access to buildings or on the brink of doing so via emails shared by county administrators this week.
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MAC creates resources page for 2020 Census
MAC has created a
dedicated page of information related to 2020 Census efforts.
County leaders understand the importance of getting an accurate count of Michiganders to leverage maximum investment from the federal government. Visit the page at
https://micounties.org/2020-census/ to find videos for local leaders, resources to maximize response rates and much more.
The page will be updated frequently.
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Benzie's work on rural broadband opens Camp Counties series
A case study from Benzie County on their work to expand and improve internet service was the focus of the first of five webinars under MAC’s Camp Counties series.
Robert Russell, one of the leaders of the Benzie effort, walked attendees through the challenges, particularly topographical, and options the Benzie group has encountered over the last two years.
The video from the webinar and Russell’s slide deck are available for 24/7 viewing at the
Camp Counties webpage.
Also visit the page to register for upcoming sessions, with the next one, on June 17, to focus on tips for planning and winning millage elections in a COVID world.
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Nursing home monitoring bill advances
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A bill to require nursing homes and medical care facilities to allow residents to place a camera in their room advanced out of a Senate committee this week, despite opposition from the Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council (MCMCFC).
Senate Bill 77, by Sen. Jim Runestad (R-Oakland), moved out of the Senate Health Policy Committee and to the Senate floor. Under the bill, the resident would have to cover the cost, maintenance and activation of the electronic device. If a resident shares a room with another, written permission must be granted by the other party or their representative. ...
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Oscoda moves into new building, 4 years after fire
Oscoda County opened its new Government Building to the public on June 10.
“So far, so good,” reported Clerk Jeri Winton. “It has been a joy to be in the new building after four years of being in a double-wide, and to be able to allow our voters in so they can conduct their business has been great!”
The new building was needed after a fire in May 2016 destroyed the county’s historic courthouse, which was built in 1888 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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Each week, Legislative Update will feature a round-up of news and information links suggested by members of MAC's staff:
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Have a job to fill? MAC can help
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Need to fill a key position in your county team? MAC can help. Our Jobs Hub page is the go-to source for county leaders looking to find the best employees. A $75 fee covers a posting of up to 30 days, along with promotion via MAC's social media channels
Jobs now to be found at the hub:
- Sales and Development Manager, Genesee County Land Bank Authority
- City Manager, City of Buchanan
- Plumbing and Mechanical Code Inspector, Marquette County
- Deputy County Administrator, Kent County
- City Manager, City of Clawson
- City Administrator, City of Adrian
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Have you joined MAC's Commissioners Forum?
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MAC's
online message board
allows county commissioners to share challenges, solutions and ideas with their colleagues. You must register to use the message board. Easy-to-follow instructions for registration can be
found here
.
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The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), founded on February 1, 1898, is the only statewide organization dedicated to the representation of all county commissioners in Michigan.
MAC is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization which advances education, communication and cooperation among county government officials in Michigan. MAC is the counties' voice at the State Capitol, providing legislative support on key issues affecting counties.
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Michigan Association of Counties
110 W. Michigan Ave. Suite 200,
Lansing, MI 48933
Tel: (800) 258-1152 or (517) 372-5374
Fax: (517)482-4599
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