SaveMICity Ambassadors Weigh In on Municipal Finance Surrounding State of the State Address
In the days surrounding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address, SaveMICity Ambassadors took to the airwaves to share their thoughts on the challenges Michigan communities are currently facing and the importance of finding impactful solutions.
Prior to the governor’s speech, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss spoke to WLAV to discuss the issues she hoped would be addressed.
“I don’t know what the governor is going to say tomorrow night, but I’m assuming she’s going to talk about the great things happening but then also lay out some of the core things that we need to fix as a state, including funding for local units of government and infrastructure,” Bliss said.
Similarly, Fenton Mayor Pro-Tem Patricia Lockwood emphasized the need for the governor and state legislators to address the issue of revenue sharing in a post-State of the State interview with WHMI. Lockwood noted that, in an effort to provide important local services, countless Michigan communities are faced with budget challenges that can only be resolved if all levels of government work together to fix the state’s broken municipal finance system.
During interviews with WILS and WWJ, Grand Ledge City Councilman Brett Gillespie and Ferndale City Councilwoman Melanie Piana both touched on the impact state disinvestment has had on their respective communities and municipalities throughout Michigan.
Piana, who currently serves as Michigan Municipal League board president, also appeared on WJR saying that while the governor is rightfully focused on fixing roads and funding schools, she hoped that restoring revenue sharing would be another focal point for the new administration. Investing in cities is a crucial piece of improving transportation, public safety, public health and other local services.
“Cities across Michigan are really hoping to hear how the state will be a partner with communities to address our broken municipal finance system,” Piana said. “We’re rock bottom in helping communities raise revenue to pay for essential services.”
And in a blog post related to the State of the State speech, the Michigan Municipal League’s Anthony Minghine said there’s a bigger picture here that must not be missed – that fixing roads, schools AND communities is all related. It’s like a three-legged stool. You can fix one of these, or even two, but it won’t make the impact you need unless you fix all three. Any investment in schools, roads or other issues mentioned in Whitmer’s speech will not make a difference to the state’s prosperity without a corresponding investment in our communities. A community’s infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth and is not limited to pipes and roads. That community infrastructure does include strong schools; but it must also include vibrant parks our children can enjoy; accessible transit systems; first responders who are there for us during the worst moments of our lives; and a safe, affordable housing stock. These are the types of assets that allow business to attract and retain the quality talent they need to thrive. Read Minghine’s comments here.
For our SaveMICity Ambassadors’ full interviews, follow the links below:
Rosalynn Bliss (WLAV) (interview begins at 56:23)
