Michigan Townships Association sets 2023-24 legislative priorities
The Michigan Townships Association announces its 2023-24 legislative priorities, following adoption of its policy platform by Association member township officials.
The MTA membership approved the Association’s platform on April 20 at the MTA Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the MTA Annual Conference & Expo at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township. These legislative priorities will guide MTA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of townships throughout the year.
“Townships provide exemplary services and quality of life to millions of Michigan residents, and our Legislative Policy Platform outlines priorities to help safeguard and enhance their ability to continue to do so,” MTA Executive Director Neil Sheridan said. “It also allows lawmakers and the public to see where we stand on a variety of key issues. We look forward to working with the Legislature and state policymakers to accomplish these goals.”
The policy platform outlines specific objectives within six broad categories—assessment and taxation, elections, environment and land use, intergovernmental relations, township operations, and transportation and guide MTA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of townships throughout the year. Among MTA’s top priorities are to preserve local authority on local zoning issues, state funding for the implementation of Proposal 2022-2 and state assumption of local revenue replacement for property tax exemptions. The Association will also work for election equipment replacement funding and additional funding for primary and local roads, as well as advocating for state laws that allow township officials to solve local issues rather than a state-imposed one-size-fits-all approach. Other priorities include the fair valuation of “big box” stores, allowing townships to create special assessment districts for high-speed internet or privately owned sewer leads, and training requirements for township planning commissioners and zoning board of appeal members.
The full MTA Legislative Policy Platform is available here.
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The Michigan Townships Association advances local democracy by fostering township leadership and public policy essential for a strong and vibrant Michigan.