We Love Where You Live

SaveMICity - Tim Dempsey, Public Sector Consultants, Revenue Sharing Report - Episode 17

Host:
Tony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Tim Dempsey, Vice President, Public Sector Consultants

A new study and online database shows that Michigan cities on average have 12 percent less revenue today than they did 15 years ago. On this episode of SaveMICity, we delve into the reasons for the revenue sharing decline with Tim Dempsey of Public Sector Consultants, the organization that produced the report on behalf of the League. 

To view the study and online database, click here.

Economics of Place - Rick Jacobs, CEO, Accelerator for America - Episode 14

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Rick Jacobs, CEO, Accelerator for America

After an engaging presentation at Michigan Municipal League's 2019 Convention in Detroit, Rick Jacobs sat down with Dan Gilmartin to expand on the work of Accelerator for America. Their mission is to find projects happening at the local level that they can scale and/or replicate to help communities deal with economic insecurity. They've put together a top-notch advisory council comprised of mayors, union leaders, CEOs, and NGO leaders to provide technical assistance and grants to bring about investment in transit and infrastructure. Accelerator for America is also intent on promoting economic development in Opportunity Zones. Learn more about Accelerator for America: https://www.acceleratorforamerica.com/

Economics of Place - Dr. Cindy Frewen, FAIA, urban futurist and architect - Episode 13

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Dr. Cindy Frewen, FAIA, urban futurist and architect

In October 2019, Dr. Cindy Frewen was a speaker at the Michigan Municipal League's Policy Forum on the future of cities. Afterwards, she sat down with League CEO Dan Gilmartin to expand on the work she does to help cities prepare for the challenges and opportunities they'll face in the next 50-100 years. For more information on Dr. Frewen, click here.

 

Economics of Place - Bryan Barnett, Mayor, Rochester Hills - Episode 12

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Bryan Barnett, Mayor, Rochester Hills; President, U.S. Conference of Mayors

Fresh off an inspiring presentation at the Michigan Municipal League's 2019 Convention in Detroit, Mayor Bryan Barnett sat down with League CEO Dan Gilmartin for an engaging conversation. They delved a little deeper into the unique opportunity local government leaders have to earn the trust of their constituents and effect change in their community. They also talked about Barnett's new role as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which is enabling him to see mayors in action across the country as well as showcase Rochester Hills and Detroit. Read our blog about Barnett's Convention presentation. 

Limelight - State Rep Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) - Episode 11

Host:
Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
State Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy)

In our last episode, we heard from State Representative Mark Huizenga on how he successfully used his local government experience to run for statewide office – and win. In part two on the topic of using local government experience to run for state office, we welcome another perspective. State Representative Padma Kuppa, a former Chrysler engineer, is the first Indian-American woman and first Hindu to serve in the Michigan Legislature. She got involved in local government in many ways – including on the Troy Planning Commission. Representative Kuppa shares how she’s using her power to empower other immigrant voices, the value of social capital when running for state office, and her gratitude for the women who reached back with both hands to help her get a seat at the table – and how she’s now reaching back with both hands herself.  

Limelight - State Rep Mark Huizenga (R-74th District) - Episode 10

Host:
Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
State Representative Mark Huizenga (D-74th District)

For some local leaders, running for state office is the next logical step. But what's the difference? How can officials translate their local experience to a statewide race? What should those considering a run for higher office be thinking about and focusing on? We dive in on those questions and more with our guest, State Representative Mark Huizenga (D-74th District). Rep. Huizenga shares his path from planning commissioner to city commissioner to mayor of the City of Walker and how that led him all the way to his current seat.

Michigan Politics, Huh? - Under the Radar - We Love Where You Live - Episode 21

Host:
Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Tom Daldin, Producer, Under the Radar
Jim Edelman, Producer, Under the Radar

In a way, the Under the Radar TV show on PBS has a similar mission to the League. Producers Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman highlight all the cool people, places and things in Michigan. In essence, they're covering all the people who love where they live - which just happens to be the League's motto. Tune in and hear some of their adventures covering the things that make our state great.

SaveMICity - John Philo, lead counsel on Headlee lawsuit - Episode 16

Host:
Tony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
John Philo, Executive and Legal Director, Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice; Lead Counsel, Headlee lawsuit

In 2016, Taxpayers for Michigan Constitutional Government filed suit against the State of Michigan for violating the Michigan Constitution by not applying the Headlee amendment appropriately, leaving local governments struggling for revenue. John Philo, lead counsel on the Headlee lawsuit, discusses the case as it winds its way through the courts.

Michigan Politics, Huh? - Crystal Proxmire, Oakland County Times Editor/Publisher - Episode 20

Host:
Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Crystal Proxmire, Publisher/Editor, Oakland County Times

Matt Bach sits down with fellow-journalist Crystal Proxmire, publisher/editor of the Oakland County Times, which she founded in 2009. Her mission is to cover local community and government issues which impact the cities, villages, and townships of Oakland County. Many of the issues covered in the Oakland County Times are the same ones the League focuses on for our member communities, i.e. voting laws, medical and recreational marijuana, real estate development, and non-discrimination ordinances. Proximire strives to be a resource for Oakland County residents when issues hit their community. For more information on the Oakland County Times, visit http://oaklandcounty115.com/. 

Economics of Place - Community Investment - Episode 11

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Melissa Milton-Pung, Program Manager, Policy Research Labs, Michigan Municipal League

League CEO Dan Gilmartin sits down with Program Manager Melissa Milton-Pung to highlight community investment vehicles available to small investors who want to make a difference in their community. Many people are familiar with donation-based crowdfunding, such as the Public Spaces, Community Places program where the Michigan Economic Development Corporation matches donations raised by the community for a public quality of life project. To date, over 200 projects have successfully raised funds through this program. Another vehicle is investment crowdfunding, wherein investors get a return on their investment, possibly with interest. Detroit City Football Club and the Tecumseh Brewing Company are two organizations that have benefited from investment crowdfunding. For more information on both types of community investment, visit http://www.crowdfundingmi.com/