- President’s Budget Includes Limit on Federal Municipal Bond Interest Exemption
- Letter Supporting Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds Delivered to President Obama
- US Senate Expected to Vote on Marketplace Fairness Act Soon
- MN City Officials Hear About Federal Priorities at NLC Conference
- NLC Announces 2013 Federal Legislative Priorities
- FDIC Coverage Changes Effective Jan. 1
- Federal Health Care Reform Update
- Proposed Sign Retroreflectivity Rules Become Final
Federal Issues
President’s Budget Includes Limit on Federal Municipal Bond Interest Exemption
As feared, President Obama's budget proposal released on April 10 includes a cap on the value of the tax exemption for interest paid by municipal bonds. The cap would increase borrowing costs for local and state governments that use the bonds to finance bridges, roads, and other capital projects. Read more. _________________________________________________________________________
Letter Supporting Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds Delivered to President Obama
A letter urging President Obama not to eliminate tax exemption for municipal bonds was signed by 14 senators, including Minnesota Senators Franken and Klobuchar. Both were encouraged by the League of Minnesota Cities to sign the letter. Read more.
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US Senate Expected to Vote on Marketplace Fairness Act Soon
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on April 18 filed for cloture on S. 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act, which could be voted upon as early as April 22. Sen. Al Franken is a co-author of the bill. Sen. Amy Klobuchar voted in support of the measure in a nonbinding budget amendment in March. Read more. _________________________________________________________________________
Federal Health Care Reform
The federal health care reform law leaves mostly intact the types of employee health insurance programs offered by most Minnesota cities. However, the law also contains provisions that may require changes in the way cities offer group health benefits or the options that will be available to cities. Read more.
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National League of Cities advocates on federal issues
While the League of Minnesota Cities focuses primarily on state legislative issues, we also advocate on federal issues directly and through our partner organization, the National League of Cities (NLC).
NLC is a key advocacy and information resource for elected city officials. NLC keeps members apprised of federal regulations, solutions to problems, and challenges for the future.
In 1924, the League of Minnesota Cities and other state municipal leagues formed NLC to have a voice for city issues in Washington, D.C. Today, NLC continues its advocacy role and includes a wide variety of learning and leadership development opportunities.
Elected officials from League of Minnesota Cities member cities can attend NLC conferences and leadership training seminars, serve on policy committees, and access NLC’s information resources. Your city can also become an NLC Direct Member City, allowing you to receive additional discounts and strengthen your level of participation in NLC.
Learn more about the National League of Cities at www.nlc.org
Your LMC Resource
Each year, LMC appoints Minnesota elected officials to serve on NLC policy and steering committees. If you’re interested in these opportunities, let us know!
Contact Kellie Sundheim
Assistant to the Executive Director
(651) 281-1214 or (800) 925-1122
ksundheim@lmc.org
Questions or concerns about federal policy issues or federal-level developments? We can connect you to the National League of Cities resources that can best meet your needs. Contact any of our IGR staff members for more information.
Federal Legislative Update
The National League of Cities provides a bi-weekly e-mail update to member cities on federal legislative, agency, and court activities impacting local governments.
Learn more at www.nlc.org