SG-W:/ Land Use Fast Track?!

["Conan Smith" <conanmec@voyager.net>]

As the Legislature gears up for the political season, several hot topics
will apparently capture their attention before they recess on June 8:  

The Agricultural Use Value Package -- this set of bills would amend the way
farmland is taxed and create a funding mechanism for local purchase of
development rights programs.  The major concern here is whether or not a
recapture provision will be adopted that prevents land speculation by
developers. (SB 1245, SB 1246, SB 1247, HB 5779, HB 5780, SJR M, HJR R)

Public Act 51 of 1951 -- Representative Rick Johnson is reportedly creating
a bill to fully rewrite the funding formula for transportation.  This law
will determine how nearly $2 billion of state revenue is expended each year.
Although a study commitee appointed by the Governor has been reviewing the
current formula for over a year, environmentalists still await several major
provisions, including a guarantee that maintenance will have priority over
new constuction, full Constitutional funding for mass transit, and
comprehensive public participation in transportation decision-making.

The Drain Code -- With nary a nod the House passed major revisions to the
Drain Code of 1956 toward the end of the 1999 legislative year.  Rumor has
it that the Senate will begin taking testimony on this 200+ page tome on
Thursday, May 18.  The new drain code includes some improvements for
environmental protection, including a stated duty to water conservation for
Drain Commissioners.  Many areas remain in contention, however.  The bill
defines "benefit" as pretty much anything positive or negative that a drain
project accomplishes. So, in the words of Ben Julian, if we flood your
garage you've just received a $3,000 benefit.  It's just one of many kinks
that need to be worked out.  (HB 4803)

Also on the docket for the next three weeks . . . electricity deregulation
and Build Michigan III, a billion dollar bond proposal for new and
ever-wider highways (can you say 16 lanes on I-94?).



Conan Smith
Land Programs Director
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Suite 2A
Lansing, MI  48912
p. (517) 487-9539
f. (517) 487-9541
www.mienv.org
conanmec@voyager.net

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