MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance & Policy

News

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  Additional Flexibility in Local Fiscal Relief Fund Use Heading Into the New Year

  Published on January 26, 2023
  The bipartisan ARPA FLEX Act will provide additional flexibility for the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund authorized under the American Rescue Plant Act.

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  Checking In On the LIHWAP

  Published on January 20, 2023
  The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is the first comprehensive federal support aimed at assisting water and sewer bill burdened households. Unless Congress acts soon, this vital program will end at the end of 2023.

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  Federal Revenue Sharing: A Standing Counter-Cyclical Fiscal Policy Mechanism for State and Local Aid

  Published on October 18, 2022
  The GRS and the SLFRF are examples of counter-cyclical fiscal policy for state and local aid under different economic and political contexts. Targeted use could assist local governments experiencing socio-economic distress (high unemployment and poverty).

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  ARPA Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in Michigan: Spending Plans as of April 2022

  Published on September 26, 2022
  Just over 17% of the $4.4 billion allocated to Michigan local governments have been spent. Nearly $3.6 billion funds remain unobligated, $3 billion to be spent by 64 large Michigan local governments, while $642 million for the remaining.

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  ARPA Fiscal Recovery in Michigan - 2021

  Published on September 7, 2022
  Planning and spending of American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars in 2021 by Michigan’s largest grant recipients.

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  How Much Debt Is Too Much?

  Published on November 29, 2021
  States and municipalities, most of which cannot run chronic deficits like the Federal Government due to state constitutional, statutory and charter prohibitions, must make hard choices if debt becomes burdensome.

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  Michigan Workshops on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund

  Published on November 17, 2021
  In fall of 2021, member regions of the Michigan Association of Regions (MAR) and MSU Extension held 14 workshops for local and tribal government officials on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund spending opportunities.

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  A brief history of disincorporation and consolidation in Michigan

  Published on October 7, 2021
  “To be, or not to be, that is the question”. Residents of some Michigan municipalities have contemplated and others chosen to cease to exist—discorporate, and unify –consolidate into a new governmental entity. How to know when to vote this question?

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  New Federal Water Money Like the Old Money

  Published on September 20, 2021
  We may be for the first time taking real steps toward water security. The new water assistance program could provide the federal support needed to keep water taps flowing and community water providers in the black.

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  MSU Extension, regional partners to provide guidance for local governments on American Rescue Plan Act spending

  Published on September 15, 2021
  In partnership with member regions of the Michigan Association of Regions, MSU Extension educators are offering 14 workshops exploring Local Fiscal Recovery Fund spending opportunities in a regional context.