SaveMICity on Deadline Detroit!
Michigan Municipal League’s very own Tony Minghine appeared on The Craig Fahle Show on Deadline Detroit for an in-depth discussion of municipal finance and SaveMICity, and our advocacy for major changes in how we fund our cities, villages and townships.
It’s a great interview, right down to the title: “Cities in Michigan have been cutting…and cutting…and they are still falling behind. One organization is fighting tooth and nail to figure out a better way.”
They dig in on topics like local taxation options, conflicts between Prop. A and Headlee, the risks of deferred maintenance, and recession-proofing our communities, whether they’re older, industrial cities, or younger townships.
“It doesn’t matter what community you’re in, you’re living within the same system, that has the same restrictions and the same failures within it,” Minghine explained. “The question is where are you in the continuum.”
“Right now we’re in a relatively strong economy. We really feel strongly we have to take these steps now. We go into another recession and we’re going to see some catastrophic failures,” warned Minghine.
While laying out the costs of disinvestment, he also made the positive case for investing in our communities and the future — and made clear that we essentially have no choice if we want to compete in the 21st century economy.
“This is going to become a huge talent retention issue…. If we can’t make sure we have the kinds of places that can attract and retain the talent that business wants, the residents communities need, it’s going to collapse under its own weight.”
Fahle asked about whether these ideas — including additional revenue — are breaking through to a legislature that has long been resistant to taxation. Minghine compared the situation to that of a business — you must invest to compete and grow.
“The idea that we can just cut our way to prosperity is false. We have to invest to create that.”