WINTER 2019 A emscopequarterly publication of SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments INVESTING IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 2019-2020 LEGISLATIVE POLICY PLATFORM WINTER - 2019 emscope 2018-2019 Officers Phil Weipert Chairperson Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Commissioner, 1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400 Oakland County Detroit, Michigan 48226-1904 313-961-4266 • Fax 313-961-4869 Donald Hubler www.semcog.org First Vice Chair facebook.com/SEMCOG twitter.com/SEMCOG Secretary, Macomb Intermediate semcog.org/blog youtube.com/SEMCOG School District instagram.com/SEMCOG1 linkedin.com/company/semcog Chris Barnett Vice Chairperson Cover photo: Supervisor, This photo of the inside of the Michigan State Capitol was taken Orion Township on January 8, 2019. Mandy Grewal Vice Chairperson Preparation of this document was financed in part through grants Supervisor, from and in cooperation with the Michigan Department Pittsfield Township of Transportation with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and Federal Brenda Jones Transit Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Vice Chairperson Agency, and local member dues. President, Detroit City Council Please direct any questions about this publication to Sue Stetler, 313-324-3428 or [email protected] Eric Sabree Vice Chairperson Treasurer, Semscope is a quarterly publication of SEMCOG Wayne County ISSN#03071-1310 Robert Clark Immediate Past Chair Mayor, City of Monroe Kathleen Lomako Executive Director Printed on recycled paper. Table of Contents Commentary - Phil Weipert, SEMCOG Chairperson 2 SEMCOG’s 2019-2020 Legislative Policy Platform 3 Investing in Southeast Michigan SEMCOG Legislative Policy Platform 4 - Investing in our infrastructure 6 - Investing in our community 8 - Investing in our natural assets 9 - Investing in our people 10 Map and Contact Information: State House Districts 11 Map and Contact Information: State Senate Districts 12 Map and Contact Information: U.S. Congressional Districts Commentary SEMCOG’s 2019-2020 Legislative Policy Platform Phil Weipert SEMCOG Chairperson My goal throughout my term as chair is to meet and get to know all of you who attend our Commissioner, meetings. I have encouraged you to also take advantage of our meetings to network and learn Oakland County from each other. That’s why I find it hard to start meetings on time. I just hate to interrupt the networking buzz. This issue of Semscope includes on our new policy platform. It was developed by a task force of elected officials that spent the fall identifying the ways our state and federal partners can help us improve the economic prosperity and quality of life in Southeast Michigan. It was adopted by the Executive Committee in December. The platform focuses on investment in: • the region’s infrastructure, that provides the foundation necessary for economic development; • the region’s communities, partnering to provide high-quality services; • protecting the region’s natural assets, so we have clean water and air; and • the people of Southeast Michigan, to educate and support workplace success. We now need to share these SEMCOG positions with those who represent Southeast Michigan in Lansing and Washington. That is particularly important this term as there are many new faces representing Southeast Michigan. In fact, we have 23 new state house members and, seven new state senators without previous legislative experience. At the federal level, we have four new members of the House of Representatives. Many of these new members would appreciate hearing from each of you about your experiences in local government. As you engage with those who represent you and your communities, I hope you will share the policy positions contained in the platform. Be sure and tell them that these positions represent the consensus of all levels of government in Southeast Michigan – counties, cities, villages, townships, intermediate school districts, and community colleges. Let them know that our success as a region is dependent on everyone’s cooperation and we need them to help. 2 2019-2020 Investing in Southeast Michigan SEMCOG Legislative Policy Platform SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, represents all levels of local government in Southeast Michigan – counties, cities, villages, townships, intermediate school districts, and community colleges. The SEMCOG region is home to 58 percent of the state’s economic activity and nearly half of its residents. The annual economic output of Southeast Michigan exceeds that of three-quarters of the nations of the world. Our success as a region depends on a collaborative approach among our members and in partnership with the state and federal governments. The following recommendations reflect needed changes to federal and state policy that are foundational to health and economic prosperity in Southeast Michigan. Many are derived from SEMCOG’s plans and policies that are geared toward investing in our communities to achieve high-quality public infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an enhanced quality of life with a healthy natural environment – all to support improved economic vitality. Legislative district maps, with contact information, are included in this issue of Semscope. Please save this issue and use as a handy reference for our policy recommendations and for contacting your legislators. 3 WINTER - 2019 emscope Investing in . Our Infrastructure Since 1992, Michigan has consistently been last or near last in the nation in per capita construction expenditures by state and local governments. – By the Numbers: A Comparative Look at Michigan’s Local Government Revenues and Expenditures, 2017 Managing Regional Assets • Support data-driven funding for infrastructure projects using asset management principles, while supporting better inte- We must invest in infrastructure if gration of roadway improvements with other underground we expect our economy to prosper. infrastructure projects. Public infrastructure is the backbone • Ensure that asset management programs and incentives re- of economic development. Michigan flect local needs and priorities. needs to invest an additional $4 • Support development of comprehensive coordinated data billion per year to bring our infra- systems through GIS and other means that document the structure back to acceptable levels. location and condition of all underground infrastructure in order to facilitate strategic investment decisions. This includes $1 billion per year for modernizing water-related systems, • Support additional resources from state and federal partners to invest in assessment, repair, and replacement of aging and $2.7 billion per year for trans- infrastructure. portation purposes (not including • Support flexibility in use of state and federal funds so that costs associated with transforming regional and local needs are better addressed. our transportation system through • Oppose proposals that would require local governments to technology). While we have begun to pay for relocation costs of private utility facilities located address these needs, we have taken within the public road easement area. Respect the respon- only the first steps towards solving sibility of local governments to manage use of the public this most basic economic develop- right-of-way. ment driver. • Support access to affordable broadband service. 4 Transforming Transportation Modernizing Water Systems • Support enhancement and diversification of funding • Clarify local governments’ ability to fund stormwater sources for the transportation system. system construction, improvements, and operations • Review Act 51 to ensure transportation funds are using a fee-based mechanism. allocated in the best possible manner. • Support increased resources for improving municipal • Ensure all revenues promised in the 2015 state trans- wastewater treatment and water supply through grants portation package are appropriated. or programs such as the Drinking Water State Revolv- ing Fund (DWSRF) and the Sewer Revolving Fund • Ensure that Michigan receives an equitable share of (SRF). federal discretionary spending. • Require the state to fund replacement of water- • Support efforts to make Michigan the leader in imple- service lines on private property due to mandates menting Intelligent Transportation Systems. found in the Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule. • Support all forms of transportation and associated • Clarify local government liability for damages arising programs including walkable communities and com- from large-scale rain events. plete streets to meet local needs. • Support updates to the Michigan Statewide Sani- • Support integrated transit systems that are safe, tary code that address sustainable onsite sewage efficient, and effective. disposal system standards. • Support efforts to improve traffic safety, especially those programs emphasizing pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorized modes. • Reduce the truck weight limit to 80,000 pounds to match the limit found in most other states. • Support secure and efficient international border cross- With more than 25,000 miles of public ings within the region. roads, 13,000 road stream crossings, 377 • Support funding for a new Soo Lock, recognizing its importance to the regional, state, and national economy. dams, more than 100 drinking water treatment facilities, 59 wastewater treatment plants, and thousands of miles of underground water infrastructure, it is vital to address the region’s infrastructure in a