Policy Priorities

Michigan’s Future Hinges on Strong Communities

Around the country, metropolitan regions anchored by strong urban centers are driving the nation’s growth, in gross domestic product, in population, in culture, and in quality of life.

To be successful, Michigan’s large communities must effectively develop and leverage their key human, natural, cultural, and structural assets and nurture them through effective public policy. In short, we must improve the human experience for everyone in the community to reach new heights.

Thriving cities, and specifically our urban cores, are the economic backbone of this state. Michigan, like every other state, is in a global competition to attract and retain talent. But for more than 20 years, our state’s policies have hindered the ability of Michigan cities to provide security, infrastructure, and amenities to residents. By disinvesting in our communities, our state has made Michigan less attractive to the talent our businesses need.

For Michigan to grow population, keep and attract talent, we need to focus on an investment-based approach. That’s why the Urban Core Mayors is focused on an agenda that is people centric, capitalizes on the economic value of thriving cities, and purses foundational change to the way local government operates.

Our Plan

While our communities have made some progress, it will take more than a few simple policy changes to address long-term social and economic success. We must create a strategic vision for the state that addresses the systemic and structural constraints on local government, while simultaneously creating policy that supports a holistic approach to improving people’s lives and opportunities for success. The result will be adaptable, economically competitive Michigan cities.

Foundational Changes

  1. Restore Michigan’s Investment in Our Communities
    • Restore revenue sharing by fully funding the state statutory revenue sharing formula, increasing support for communities by $600 million each year.
    • Consider creating a fund specifically for police and fire.
  2. Ensure Our Property Tax System Tracks with the Economy
    • Change property tax laws by removing conflicts between Headlee Amendment and Proposal A to allow local government revenue to grow with the economy.
  3. Provide More Local Funding Options
    • Provide more options for communities to fund critical services including additional special assessment authority and expansion of local taxing authority, specifically local gas tax, local registration fees, and local sales tax.
  4. Reduce the Cost of Government
    • Change existing laws to discourage the wasteful duplication of infrastructure and services, and equip local government with the tools to modernize legacy benefits.

 

Key Policy Issues

Infrastructure

  • Transportation Funding
    • Support a funding proposal that would make significant investments in local roads and transit.
  • Support legislation addressing stormwater utilities and local government liability for sewer overflows that are a result of certain intense rainfall events.

Criminal Justice Reform

  • Support reforms to the expungement process
  • Support bail reform

Transit

  • Support the passage of funding for a robust regional transit system in southeast Michigan

Economic Development

  • Support public policy that promotes investment in placemaking and encourages community wealth building to advance an equity-infused strategy for community residents

Workforce Development

  • Support policies that address talent and workforce development opportunities

Housing

  • Support the passage of inclusionary zoning

Lead Exposure

  • Prevent lead poisoning and exposure, including through investment and increased funding options for lead paint remediation

Court Funding

  • Support district court funding reform and equitable investment in district court services

Other Issues

  • Leveraging Opportunity Zones
  • Census 2020
  • Education
  • Mental Health