News

Local governments want revenue sharing increase

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By JOSH BENDER
Capital News Service
LANSING — Many Michigan communities are feeling the pinch of the loss of $7.5 billion in state revenue sharing funds since 2002. And so now they’re gearing up to pressure for its return. On Monday, April 21, the Michigan Municipal League plans to unveil a new online tool at a press conference that explains how communities are harmed by these cuts. “We are simply not adequately funding local government, and you can see the impact across the state,” said Anthony Minghine, associate executive director of finance and chief operating officer of the organization, which represents cities and villages. “All we’ve done is put band aids on the system, and I think it’s time we work to actually fix things.”
Although the league is not asking for specific changes at the press conference, it said it hopes the database’s unveiling will stoke the conversation surrounding local government, Minghine said.

Business & Economy

Government jobs open, but not in Michigan

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By JUSTINE McGUIRE
Capital News Service
LANSING – This could be a good year to get a public sector job in parts of the country, according to the International Public Management Association for Human Resources. But apparently not in Michigan. The association’s new survey reveals that, nationally, more governmental bodies plan to hire for new positions while fewer plan on layoffs, compared to recent years. The Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Townships Association and Michigan Civil Service Commission didn’t have statewide projections for hiring and layoffs in 2013. Alpena and St.