Izzo added to 2020 Virtual Annual Conference line-up
Izzo will address the President's Gathering scheduled for Aug. 20 during the virtual event, which replaces MAC’s traditional summer conference shelved due to the public health circumstances imposed by the coronavirus.
Highlights of the event include:
- Izzo's remarks on Aug. 20, starting at 11 a.m.
- Plenary sessions that will feature MAC’s Legislative Update, the semi-annual “State of MAC” report and an address by MAC Board President Veronica Klinefelt
- The Annual Business Meeting, during which members will vote on MAC’s policy platforms for the 2020-21 year
- Seven policy workshops that will focus heavily on the implications of COVID-19 for counties in the coming months
- A Virtual Exhibitor Show that will allow attendees to select up to five firms from which to hear 10-minute presentations ...
|
|
Podcast 83 answers your questions on COVID aid
Millions of dollars are available to counties for reimbursements for public health and safety workers and it’s important to begin filing for aid quickly, MAC Governmental Affairs Director Deena Bosworth said
during an episode of Podcast 83 this week.
Bosworth and Executive Director Stephan Currie discussed the aid streams now available under Senate Bill 690, then took questions from viewers of the webinar taped on Monday.
Regarding $100 million in hazard pay for first responders, Bosworth said, “It’s available on a first come, first served basis, so those who apply first are more likely to get the money. … I don’t know how fast it will go.”
On hazard pay, a local unit can receive only a maximum of $5 million, regardless of the amount requested. (FAQ sheet from Treasury on filing for hazard pay.)
On payroll taxes associated with hazard pay, Bosworth said MAC has requested additional guidance on whether state aid will cover those costs to counties. ...
|
|
MAC continues push for trial court fee authority
All during the COVID-19 pandemic, MAC has continued to urge Senate leaders to get
House Bill 5488 to the governor’s desk. HB 5488, by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Jackson), would extend statutory authority for Michigan’s trial courts to levy costs to defendants until Oct. 1, 2022. Currently, that authority expires this October.
The state’s Trial Court Funding Commission said court costs “directly account for as high as $291 million annually in support (most of the 26.2 percent generated). Additionally, approximately $127 million of the annual funds transferred from the State originate from court assessments at sentencing. When totaled, Michigan trial courts are supported, in significant part, by over $418 million assessed to criminal defendants.” ...
|
|
Single candidates featured in MAC Board elections
A single candidate filed in each of the six races for seats on the MAC Board of Directors, with the filing period closing on Thursday.
Board candidates are:
- Region 1: Joe Bonovetz (Gogebic)
- Region 2: Richard Schmidt (Manistee)
- Region 3: Jim Storey (Allegan)
- Region 4: Bryan Crenshaw (Ingham)
- Region 5: Veronica Klinefelt (Macomb)
- At-large: Stan Ponstein (Kent)
While no candidate is opposed, MAC will still hold regional caucuses at the
2020 Annual Conference, as by-laws require an affirmative vote for a candidate to win a board seat. These candidates will serve three-year terms on the MAC Board, which oversees the association.
|
|
Deadline approaching on opioid litigation
“The deadline for cities, counties, municipalities, or other local governments to file proofs of claim in the Purdue Bankruptcy Cases is July 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. EDT. Any Negotiating Class member that wishes to file a claim must do so by that date. Negotiating Class counsel will NOT be filing claims for class members. However, we are advised that an Ad Hoc committee of governmental and other contingent litigation claimants has been formed in the Bankruptcy. That ad hoc committee may be sending additional information concerning the claim process.” ...
|
|
July 23 webinar will go over federal COVID grants for jails
Learn about options and details for gaining federal help to respond to COVID-19 in your jails during a July 23 digital Town Hall co-hosted by MAC, the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.
The free event will run from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will focus on local grants and sub-grants of the federal Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding. Get your questions answered and hear ideas and guidance from the about using the funds in ways that will pay dividends over time.
Speakers will be:
- Nancy Becker Bennett, division director, Grants and Community Services Division, Michigan State Police
- Bridget McCormack, chief justice, Michigan Supreme Court
- Sheryl Kubiak, dean & professor, School of Social Work, Wayne State University
|
|
Election security is theme of NACo, MAC webinars
NACo has set a July 23 webinar on "How Counties Can Continue to Address Ransomware to Ensure Safe and Secure Elections."
Experts gathered by the National Association of Counties will discuss what ransomware is; attack vectors used; how it impacts state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities; and specifically how it can impact election infrastructure. Presenters also will provide a set of recommendations for protecting networks against a ransomware attack, as well as response steps for those affected by ransomware.
READ MORE
|
|
MCMCFC leader appointed to COVID task force
The Task Force was created by Whitmer’s Executive Order 135 as an advisory body in the Department of Health and Human Services to inform the state’s response to a potential second wave of COVID-19 in nursing homes. Some of the main responsibilities of the group will be to coordinate state agencies and industry stakeholders, report on best practices and recommend ways to improve data collection.
“The Task Force will produce a recommendation to the governor for an action plan on how to prepare nursing homes for any future wave of COVID-19 cases by August 31, 2020. The Task Force will dissolve no later than two years after the issuance of the executive order unless the governor orders otherwise.”
|
|
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.
|
|
Each week, Legislative Update will feature a round-up of news and information links suggested by members of MAC's staff:
|
|
Have a job to fill? MAC can help
|
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:
- Governmental Affairs Associate, Michigan Association of Counties
- Friend of the Court, Emmet County
- County Administrator, Sauk County, Wis.
- Manager, Otsego County Road Commission
- Deputy County Administrator/Controller, Clinton County
|
|
Have you joined MAC's Commissioners Forum?
|
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
.
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
