For Immediate Release: March 17, 2016
Contact: Matt Bach
Director of Media Relations
Michigan Municipal League
(734) 669-6317; C: (810) 874-1073
[email protected]; www.mml.org
Statewide Database, Census Info to Detail How State Actions Have Damaged Michigan Cities
Michigan Municipal League News Conference is Monday in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. ― The Michigan Municipal League will hold a news conference Monday to unveil a statewide database that the public and media can use in determining how the state has diverted revenue from local communities. The League will also reveal U.S. Census data showing how state decisions and policies are making it difficult for cities to provide vital services, reducing the quality of life in Michigan and keeping Michigan cities from being the robust economic generators they’ve been in the past. The event will be livestreamed at saveMIcity.org for news media, League members and the public unable to attend in person. The saveMIcity.org website is under construction and will be live Monday.
WHEN: 2 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2016
WHERE: Michigan Municipal League Conference Room, 208 North Capitol Ave., Lansing, and streamed live at saveMIcity.org.
WHO:
Dan Gilmartin: MML Executive Director and CEO
Tony Minghine: MML Associate Executive Director and COO
Susan Rowe: Mayor, City of Wayne
Mitch Bean: Principal, Great Lakes Economic Consulting
Eric Lupher: President, Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Shanna Draheim: Senior Consultant, Public Sector Consultants
WHAT: Launch of statewide online database tool for the media and the public. Release of U.S. Census data illustrating how poorly Michigan’s cities stack up against the rest of the nation in revenue increases since 2002. The data also demonstrates that Michigan cities have been enduring the worse fiscal climate in the nation, largely due to state policies. In addition, there will be proposed solutions to years of disinvestment in Michigan’s communities.
WHY: Major cuts in revenues available to state cities are hampering their ability to attract and retain talent, jeopardizing the state’s long-term economic recovery.
Those unable to attend in person will be able to livestream the event at saveMIcity.org. Members of the news media can call in to listen and ask questions by dialing 866-200-5786, conference code 3055253.
Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.
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Public Sector Consultants is Michigan’s most respected, connected, and dedicated research and program management firm, with specialties in governance and regulation, health care, education, energy, and environmental policy. PSC is committed to providing objective research and sound solutions to the public and private sector.