Capitol Connection Newsletter: April 12, 2022
In This Issue:
- LRCC Business Roundtable with Congressman Peter Meijer and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin
- New Districts. Who’s In, Who’s Out?
- Restaurant Revitalization Fund Approved by U.S. House
- LRCC Applauds State Adoption of $4.7B Infrastructure Package
- Lansing Regional Chamber Supports Lansing Schools Zero Mills Increase Bond Proposal
Mark Your Calendar
Lansing Regional Chamber Business Roundtable with Congressman Peter Meijer (MI-03) and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
Congressman Peter Meijer (MI-03) and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) will provide updates and discuss several issues impacting the business community in Washington D.C. at an upcoming business roundtable, taking place on May 3 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza West. This is a great opportunity to hear about their bipartisanship efforts on addressing several complex subjects. Tickets are $35 for LRCC members and $50 for future members.
Interested in sponsoring the event? Contact Ashlee Willis at michiganpremierevents@lansingchamber.org for more information.
New Districts. Who’s In, Who’s Out?
Every 10 years, Michigan redraws electoral boundaries for Congress and the state legislature. This coincides with the population census, which determines whether we lose or gain additional seats in Congress. Michigan recently went through this process via the Michigan Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission. This fall, we will all be voting for new candidates in new districts.
The LRC-PAC is hosting a presentation by Gongwer News Service on the new districts important to our region on Monday, April 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 200.
Gongwer News Executive Editor & Publisher Zach Gorchow will present the new congressional, State Senate, and State House districts that matter to the Greater Lansing region. He will also break down the districts and talk about who is running and not running.
This event is offered at no charge for LRCC members. The LRC-PAC has suggested a donation of $25 to $50 to assist with our election cycle efforts. Registration is available below.
Update from Washington D.C.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund Approved by U.S. House
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act (H.R. 3807), which would provide $42 billion to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The bill will also allocate $13 billion for other businesses with less than 200 employees impacted by the global pandemic. The U.S. Senate still needs to approve the legislation.
Why This Matter
Several restaurants were approved for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants but did not receive the funding because the portal closed. If this legislation is approved, those restaurants are in the queue to receive these critical dollars. We want to thank Congresswoman Slotkin for voting ‘YES’ to approve the Restaurant Revitalization Fund!
Lansing Regional Chamber Support Letter
Community Project Funding
Last year, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee established Community Projecting Funding for Members of Congress to request funding for projects in their communities.
The Lansing Regional Chamber government affairs department has collaborated with our partners at the Capital Council of Governments, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and our municipal colleagues to ensure proposals focused on infrastructure investment are submitted to our Congressional members (Congressman John Moolenaar, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, and Congressman Tim Walberg). Each member of Congress has fifteen (15) projects that can be chosen for funding. The LRCC will provide an update when the projects are chosen.
American Rescue Plan Act Tracker Now Available
The Brookings Institution has put together an online resource to explain how large cities and counties (250K+ population) are spending the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) state and local recovery fund dollars.
Local Government ARPA Investment Tracker
Update from State Capitol
LRCC Applauds State Adoption of $4.7B Infrastructure Package
The Lansing Regional Chamber applauded Governor Whitmer and state lawmakers for the passage of legislation that will result in Michigan investing more than $4.7 billion to improve infrastructure, including drinking water upgrades, internet access, and fixing roads, bridges, and dams. An estimated $4 billion comes from federal funds, including COVID-19 recovery funds and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Local projects that will receive funding include the Capital Region Airport Authority, which will receive $2 million to upgrade utility and roadway infrastructure to accommodate anticipated growth associated with ongoing development projects. Transportation statewide is getting a $645 million investment to improve bridges, roads, and public transportation. The Lansing Regional Chamber will be working with its regional partners to fully assess the infrastructure legislation’s total impact in the Greater Lansing region.
Michiganders for Fair Lending
The Lansing Regional Chamber has joined the Michiganders for Fair Lending Ballot campaign. Michiganders for Fair Lending is working to cap payday lending interest rates.
Michiganders for Fair Lending Fact Sheet
Michiganders for Fair Lending FAQ
Lansing Regional Chamber Supports Lansing Schools Zero Mills Increase Bond Proposal
The Lansing Regional Chamber has announced its support for the Lansing Schools Zero Mills Increase Bond proposal on the May 3 ballot. The Lansing School District is asking voters to consider a bond proposal that would generate $129.7 million for facility improvements throughout the district without an expected increase in the school district’s debt millage for Lansing property owners above 2021 levels.
Primary investments included in the Zero Increase Bond Proposal include:
- Four new buildings to replace the district’s most outdated elementary schools, including Mt. Hope STEAM Magnet School, Willow Elementary, Lewton School and Sheridan Road STEM Magnet School.
- Improvements district-wide to HVAC and air conditioning systems.
- Significant upgrades to J.W. Sexton High School, including a complete renovation of the school’s auditorium, athletic improvements, new ceilings, and window coverings.
A recent survey of LRCC members who own businesses in the City of Lansing showed overwhelming support for the Zero Mill Increase Bond proposal.
- 95% of those surveyed said they consider the proposal critical to the future of the Lansing School District.
- 92.31% of those surveyed said they supported the May 3 ballot proposal.
Additional information regarding the bond proposal is available online: https://www.lansingschools.net/district/bond-2022/.