SaveMICity Message Highlighted By Media
There continue to be encouraging signs that SaveMICity’s message – our state’s system for funding communities is broken and must be fixed – is being heard.
Since launching in 2016, SaveMICity has been leading the conversation on municipal finance reform. These efforts to educate the public, business leaders, state legislators and the media have helped bring awareness to this critical issue and advocate for much needed change.
The SaveMICity community has been extremely active in the last few weeks taking to various platforms to spread the word about our broken system for funding municipalities and the impact it has had on our cities, townships and villages. We’re proud to share highlights of some of our team’s recent media hits. Check them out below:
Michigan Politics, Huh? – Michigan Municipal League Director of State and Federal Affairs Chris Hackbarth, Michigan Association of Counties Director of Governmental Affairs Deena Bosworth and Michigan Township Association Legislative Liaison Tom Frazier sat down to discuss a multitude of topics, including how revenue sharing impacts their respective memberships and how the organizations are working together to move the needle on the legislative front.
State of the State Coverage – SaveMICity Ambassadors were out in full force in the days surrounding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. Michigan Municipal League President and Ferndale City Councilwoman Melanie Piana, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, Fenton Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Lockwood and Grand Ledge City Councilman Brett Gillespie all shared their thoughts on the challenges Michigan communities are currently facing and the importance of making municipal finance reform a priority in the new administration.
Local Leaders Speak Out – From members of Congress to mayors to city council members, leaders across the state took part in SaveMICity’s Local Leaders Speak Out video series. Each participant was invited to take a moment to share how their communities have been impacted by the state’s disinvestment.
Detroit News, Proposal A Article – Political leaders spoke with Detroit News’ Jonathan Oosting to explain how Michigan’s system for funding its communities doesn’t track with the economy as it should. League Deputy Executive Director Tony Minghine and Hazel Park City Manager Ed Klobucher were among leaders on both sides of the aisle focused on making necessary changes to Proposal A and the Headlee amendment to ensure both are working to benefit Michigan communities.
Michigan Radio, “Business-Friendly” Michigan Interview – Business Leaders for Michigan President and CEO Doug Rothwell and Small Business Association of Michigan CEO Rob Fowler sat down with Michigan Radio’s Stateside to share their thoughts on what it will take to become a leading state in terms of business growth and talent attraction. Talent and businesses choose to go to the best places, and the best places are those that invest in their communities.
We’re on quite a roll, but we need the help of our communities and the general public to keep the conversation going. Learn more at SaveMICity.org.