Programs
and Projects

Data and Maps

Services

 
home > programs and projects > legislative issues > legislative positions

Legislative PositionsCommunity and Economic Development

Supporting local control over cable franchising
SEMCOG urges state and federal legislators to only support cable franchising legislation that:

  • Maintains local control of the cable franchise process;
  • Ensures build-out requirements so that providers are not able to “cherry-pick” customers;
  • Preserves local governments’ authority over public rights-of-way; and
  • Ensures no reduction in direct revenues and that Michigan’s Metro Act is preserved.

[Resolution passed at April 28, 2006 Executive Committee meeting.]

Preserving Local Government Authority in Telecommunications    
SEMCOG opposes any proposal that undermines the ability of local governments to manage public rights of ways, and supported proposals that protect local government authority to ensure efficient and fair use of rights of ways, and provide adequate compensation to maintain rights of ways to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens. [Resolution passed at July 22, 2005 Executive Committee meeting.]

In addition, SEMCOG supports local government initiatives to make available state-of-the-art technology as needed to benefit businesses, economic development, municipal service provision, and to meet market demand at the household level. [Resolution passed at July 22, 2005 Executive Committee meeting.]

Preserving Local Government Authority to Manage Public Right of Ways  
SEMCOG opposes any proposal that undermines the ability of local governments to manage public rights-of-way, and supports proposals that protect local government authority to ensure efficient and fair use of rights-of-ways, and provide adequate compentsation to maintain rights-of-ways to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens. [Resolution passed at July 22, 2005 Executive Committee meeting.]

Support for amending the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Act
SEMCOG supports legislation that amends the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (PA 24 of 1995) to increase the number of regular MEGA tax credits granted from 25 to 35 new agreements each year for eligible businesses, and would also increase the maximum number of agreements for qualified rural businesses from five to ten of the total 50 permitted for the high tech & rural business category. [Resolution passed at July 22, 2005 Executive Committee meeting.] 

Reaffirming support for manufactured housing legislative action
SEMCOG reaffirms support for legislative initiatives revising current laws regarding manufactured housing within manufactured housing parks. Action is needed in the areas of local control; residents' bill of rights; and composition of the Manufactured Housing Commission. [Resolution passed at February 25, 2005 Executive Committee meeting.]