Legislative Updates – Part II: Growing relationships at the state and federal levels

Read Part I, which covered SEMCOG’s Legislative Policy Platform and priorities.

At the federal level, we had a busy February when SEMCOG policy staff and officers traveled to Washington for the Annual National Association of Regional Councils Conference of Regions, and to meet with each of the region’s Congressional offices. This year’s conference sessions were informative and touched on a variety of topics important to our region, including:

• Navigating rapid political change and the new federal funding landscape
• Updates on the federal tax bill renewal and budget reconciliation
• The path forward for surface transportation reauthorization
• Local and state dynamics for transportation funding
• Improving local capacity to support affordable and workforce housing

As the conference sessions ended, our team headed to Capitol Hill to meet with our region’s Congressional delegation. At these meetings, we provided updates on the important work SEMCOG has been engaged in since we last met with them. We also shared examples of how local projects utilizing federal funds are making transformative changes in the region and opportunities to partner with our representatives in Washington to achieve SEMCOG’s policy goals. We were welcomed warmly in each office and had many good discussions as we highlighted our work.

Gwen Markham, SEMCOG Chairperson (right), with Congresswoman Hayley Stevens

Left to right: Chris Barnett, Supervisor, Orion Township; Laua Kropp, Mayor, City of Mount Clemens; Lisa McClain, U.S. Congresswoman; Amy O’Leary, Executive Director, SEMCOG; Nikki Hartley, Government Affairs Specialist, SEMCOG; Frank Viviano, Supervisor, Macomb Township

Left to right: Kevin Vettraino, Planning Director, SEMCOG; Amy O’Leary, Executive Director, SEMCOG; Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, Supervisor, Canton Township; Debbie Dingell, U.S. Congresswoman; Joe LaRussa, Mayor, City of Farmington; Dr. Sheryl Theriot, Director of External Affairs, SEMCOG

Given the uncertainty of how federal directives will impact funding streams important to Southeast Michigan, the meetings provided a good opportunity to underscore the importance of having strong federal partners in Washington. We thanked our delegation for their work and partnership, and learned about their priorities for the upcoming session to better identify ways SEMCOG can help achieve our shared policy goals.

At the state level, we have also been busy. At the end of February, SEMCOG policy staff and officers traveled to Lansing to attend and view the Governor’s State of the State address. SEMCOG’s Lansing lobbyists, Midwest Strategy Group, hosted our group at their pre-address and viewing parties, providing an opportunity for networking with our partners from across the state, as well as legislators and their staff.

Governor Whitmer gives her State of the State address from the State Capitol

Member Outreach Meetings – what we heard

We also spent a lot of time on the road in February and early March – meeting with local officials from each of the region’s seven counties. At these Member Outreach Meetings, Government Affairs Specialist Nikki Hartley and I were able to connect with members, sharing the legislative platform and priorities, and encouraging SEMCOG members to roll up their sleeves and engage with us on our advocacy efforts. During these meetings, we also heard a lot of great feedback on the priorities and concerns of SEMCOG members. Topics of interest included:

Federal

• Freezes on federal funding programs
• Impacts of tariffs on the local and regional economy
• Tax-exempt status of municipal bonds
• FY2025/2026 Community Projects funding

State

• New road funding plan (needs to focus on local infrastructure)
• Local fiscal support for District Courts – an unfunded mandate!
• Local control of planning and zoning issues (PA 233/solar siting)
• Permitting requirements/mandates from state departments
• Statewide Sanitary Code development (ensure concerns of county health departments are reflected in legislation)
• Coordination of projects in the public right of way (including private utilities)
• Investment/continuation of funding for water and dam infrastructure

Thanks to the SEMCOG members who joined us for these discussions!

Legislative Roundtable – join us on June 6!

Earlier this month, SEMCOG hosted its first-ever Legislative Roundtable discussion. With nearly 200 registrants, this roundtable discussion was a huge success. We heard updates from SEMCOG’s state and federal lobbyists, shared resources for staying engaged with SEMCOG’s advocacy efforts, and – most importantly – we had an opportunity to hear from the local officials attending and get questions answered on the legislative issues important to your communities.

I encourage you to register now for the next roundtable, to be held on June 6, 2026.

Sign Up for Legislative Updates

If you would like to receive mailings from the Government Affairs Department, including action alerts and monthly advocacy updates, log into your SEMCOG account profile and scroll down to ‘Mailing Lists.’

As always, if you have questions or want to chat about your community’s legislative priorities and questions, please get in touch with me or the other Government Affairs staff at SEMCOG.