LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michael Webber on Thursday led the Senate passage of legislation to protect local funding by creating a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund within the Michigan Department of Treasury.
“Local governments in our state have a direct impact on the everyday lives of Michigan families and play a vital role in making our state a great place to live and work,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “To build stronger families and communities, we must ensure our locals have the financial stability necessary to meet the needs of their residents — from keeping our neighborhoods safe to maintaining quality parks and delivering emergency medical services.
“Creating a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund is about protecting local revenue-sharing dollars and keeping them safe and secure from the political whims of Lansing.”
Webber and his fellow Michigan Municipal League caucus co-chair Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, joined forces last term to introduce bipartisan trust fund legislation to protect local funding. Their bills were reintroduced earlier this year.
“During my more than seven years on the Rochester Hills City Council, I saw firsthand how important stable revenue sharing is for local governments,” Webber said. “These reforms are about good governance. Investing in our communities and the services they provide isn’t a partisan issue, and statutory revenue sharing to local governments should never be subject to political games or brushed aside for other state spending desires.”
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