SEMCOG
Southeast Michigan Council Of Governments

Legislative Policy Platform Task Force Reviews Priorities, Discusses Policies

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Nikki Hartley

Nikki Hartley

Nikki Hartley is SEMCOG’s Government Affairs Specialist II. Her work at SEMCOG focuses on advocating for regional priorities by tracking legislation, engaging with policymakers, and providing legislative updates to members. Prior to joining SEMCOG, Nikki held a similar role at The Senior Alliance, the Area Agency on Aging for western Wayne County and Downriver. In addition to her advocacy background, she also brings three years of local government experience from her time with the City of Taylor. Nikki holds bachelor's degrees in Economics and Public Affairs, with a minor in Public Health.

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The second meeting of the Legislative Policy Platform Task Force took place on September 14, taking the next step in the development of SEMCOG’s 2027-2028 Legislative Policy Platform. Scott Benson, Co-Chair of the task force and City of Detroit Councilmember, led the task force members through an in-depth review of all platform policies and initial input on policy priorities.

Attendees participate in a roundtable discussion during a SEMCOG meeting.

Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, Supervisor, Canton Township, engages with peers at the second meeting of the Legislative Policy Platform Task Force on Sept 14.

Remaining Task Force Timeline

Throughout October, staff will review and finalize the priorities to be shared at the task force’s next meeting on November 9, for final review.

“We’re in the home stretch developing our new legislative platform and priorities, and it’s looking really great,” Michael Spence, Government Affairs and Strategic Coordination Manager, SEMCOG said. “Discussions to anticipate the key issues impacting the region’s communities have been productive and the task force is setting us up to do some great advocacy in the new session starting in January.”

Meeting participant seated at a conference table speaking into a microphone during a SEMCOG meeting.

Michael Spence, Government Affairs and Strategic Coordination Manager, SEMCOG, listens in on the second meeting of the Legislative Policy Platform Task Force on Sept 14.

Following final review, the task force will submit the priorities for approval to the Executive Committee prior to its meeting on December 4.

The Priorities

The policy platform consists of 100 plus policies. To further focus SEMCOG’s advocacy, staff proposed six priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

In addition to task force discussions, SEMCOG staff gathered input for the draft priorities from a variety of places, including:

  • SEMCOG’s Peer Groups
  • The Economic Development Council​
  • The Southeast Michigan Active Transportation Committee​
  • The Transportation Safety Action Committee
  • SEMCOG’s Executive Committee
Presenter speaking at a SEMCOG meeting from a podium in front of a blue SEMCOG-branded backdrop.

Scott Benson, Vice-Chairperson of the Task Force and Councilmember, City of Detroit, speaks to fellow task force members at the Sept 14 meeting.

This additional input helps ensure comprehensive draft priorities, providing an opportunity for a variety of voices to be considered – from urban communities to rural and all spaces in between.

Along with these sources of input, SEMCOG staff drafted these policies with these supplementary considerations in mind:

  • Staff Expertise
    • Areas where staff have expertise to leverage this technical knowledge into effective policymaking
  • Timely Topics
    • Topics that are relevant now and will remain so throughout the upcoming legislative session
  • Proactive Issues
    • Policies that change the status quo and that staff can work proactively to address
Meeting attendee speaking into a microphone while participating in a roundtable discussion.

Task force members engage in group discussion during the second meeting of the Legislative Policy Platform task force on Sept 14.

The following six priorities are in no particular order:

  • Protect and diversify local government and education revenues to ensure resilient Southeast Michigan communities.​
  • Encourage the State to address housing affordability in partnership with communities through programs that reflect local needs and leverage existing and planned infrastructure investments.​
  • Promote policies that improve safety and accessibility for all transportation system users through infrastructure investment, public education, and the development and enforcement of data-driven traffic laws and practices, including those related to emerging micromobility options.​
  • Advance stormwater utility legislation to ensure Southeast Michigan’s flooding challenges are addressed through long-term, locally driven solutions.​
  • Increase funding and resources for regional planning activities to enhance regional coordination and implementation capacity.​
  • Support local decision-making for communities considering large-scale data centers and other high-intensity facilities by ensuring greater transparency on community impacts, resources for productive public engagement, and tools to inform local planning and decision-making.​
Meeting attendee reviews printed documents while participating in a discussion at a conference table.

Emily Bauman, Westland City Councilwoman, reads materials during the second meeting of the Legislative Policy Platform Task Force on Sept 14.

Moving Forward

Task force members will review the priorities and provide final recommendations before the third meeting on November 9. Revised policies will be shared with task force members for review prior to the meeting.

Register for Nov 9

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