|
State Policy Update: July 2,
2008 |
| Michigan's Housing and Community
Development Fund |
Legislative
Funding and Changes to the MHCDF
Reported by the
Living in Michigan Coalition |
The Legislature adopted a budget last week which
sustains the $2.16 million in appropriations for Michigan's
Housing and Community Development Fund. In his
capacity as the Chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mark Janson
was able to add language in the 2008-2009 budget that secures
an additional $2 million for the Fund
contingent upon the receipt of additional funds from the
federal government's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) program. We anticipate those funds being available by
the end of September. Additionally,
legislation sponsored by Representative Tobocman (HB 4658) and
Senator Jansen (SB 1243) expanding the eligible uses of the
fund and establishing a 10 member Advisory Committee to make
recommendations on the allocation of the funds was passed and
is awaiting the signature of Governor
Granholm.  The retention of the $2.16 million, along
with the Legislature's intent to increase the level of
funding, is the Legislature's recognition of the importance of
the Fund and its confidence in the Fund's ability to assist in
Michigan's economic recovery. We commend and thank our
legislative champions, State Senator Mark Jansen and State
Representative Steve Tobocman, for their commitment and hard
work.
The vision we have for this fund is becoming
a reality after many years of dedicated hard work and
commitment, and we all have a reason to celebrate! Thank you
to all the members of the Living in Michigan Coalition for
your
support.
|
| Michigan Home Loan Protection Act
(MHLPA) |
| The MHLPA Passed the
House! |
On June 18th, the State House of Representatives passed
the MHLPA to combat predatory mortgage lending practices and
give consumers more protections. Read the House Democrats'
recent press
release and the CEDAM
summary for more detailed information.
The bills are now in the Senate Committee on Banking and
Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Richardville. Other
members of the Committee include: Senators Sanborn, Cassis,
Stamas, Hunter, Clarke, and Olshove. If any of these State
Senators represent you, please contact them and tell them the
importance of passing these
bills. |
| Michigan Business Tax (MBT) fix for
Affordable Housing |
| The MBT fix for Affordable Housing groups passed and
signed into law |
On June 30th, Governor Granholm signed the bill providing a fix to the MBT
for affordable housing groups. It provides a reduction in the
tax base for qualified affordable housing projects and
modifies the gross receipts tax.
Much appreciation to Representative Tobocman
and Senator Jansen for their legislative efforts to
get this passed; to George Larimore of Grubb and Ellis
and Aaron Seybert of Great Lakes Capital Fund
for their hard work and expertise; to the Michigan
Housing Council
for their partnership in addressing this
issue; and to our members who helped
work on this issue with
us. | |
|
|
Other Updates related to Community & Economic
Development |
Downtown Development Bills
Pass |
|
To increase economic development the State Legislature
has passed a package of bills providing many tools for
downtowns.
Some highlights include:
 Allows Downtown Development
Authorities (DDA) boards to create, operate, and fund retail
business incubators (SB 970) and a loan program to pay for
improvements for existing buildings located in a downtown
district (SB 972)
- Reactivates the Commercial Redevelopment Act to allow
for new tax abatements for a new or replacement facility in
a redevelopment district located in a downtown
revitalization district (SB 974)
- Allows for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) located
in a downtown revitalization district to contain less than
10 platted parcels if the parcels together contain 10 or
more facilities (SB 975)
- Amends the definition of "new facility" to include a new
structure or portion of a new structure that is rented or
leased or available for rent or lease, a mixed use building
or located in a mix use building, and located in a qualified
downtown revitalization district (SB 976)
- Requires particular consideration to the acquisition of
land and rights in land for trails that intersect downtown
areas (SB 978)
- Exemptions for all new personal property owned or leased
by an eligible business located in a "distressed parcel" (SB
980)
For more detailed information please visit www.legislature.mi.gov
Grocery Store Tax Credit
Passes
SB 294, sponsored by Senator Jansen,
has passed both the Senate and House and awaits the Governor's
signature. The grocery store tax credit bill will give
property tax abatements to certain retail food establishments,
such as grocery stores, in underserved areas. Read the legislative
analysis for more information.
Housing Inspection Bill (SB
635) Passed Senate
SB 635, which is sponsored by
Senator Garcia, will modify the number of inspections required
for multiple dwellings and rooming houses, has passed the
Senate and has been referred to the House Committee on
Intergovernmental, Urban and Regional Affairs.
The bill will also require that a local inspecting unit
issue a five-year certificate of occupancy for a rental
unit within a multiple dwelling at least six months before the
previous one expires, require inspections more frequently than
every five years only in response to a complaint, prohibit
local agencies from inspecting multiple dwellings and rooming
houses subject to Federal or State inspections (except in
response to a complaint), and require reports on actual
inspection costs and all fees received for performing
inspections.
Please voice your support for these bills to the
House Committee members: Representatives Byrum, Young,
Coulouris, Farrah, Griffin, Johnson, Meadows, Pavlov, Nitz,
Meekhof, and Opsommer.
 Tax Credits
for Green Building
Representative Bieda introduced a
bill (HB 6178)
that will provide tax credits for construction or renovation
of an industrial green building or commercial green building.
The House Committee on Tax Policy reported the bill out last
week. Please support this bill by contacting your
representative - you can find your representative and the
contact infomation for their office using this
website. | |
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| CEDAM
1000 S. Washington, Suite 101
Lansing, MI 48910
(517) 485-3588
fax (517) 485-3043 staff@cedam.info
|
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