February 6, 2024
Dear Credit Union Leaders,
GAC in Washington, D.C. is approaching fast! And for the baseball fans out there, Detroit Tigers’ pitchers and catchers report shortly and Spring Training is right around the corner! As we start February, here are the updates you need.
Announcements
As a reminder for those interested, we have rescheduled our upcoming session with Inclusiv and MCUL on the new CDFI application and certification process for Thurs., Feb. 15 at 3:00pm. Please contact Kieran (Kieran.Marion@mcul.org) with any questions.
Advocacy
In Lansing, the state legislature continues to move slowly as the House figures out how to work in bipartisan fashion during the remaining weeks of their 54-54 tie. Governor Whitmer’s administration is preparing to release and present their FY 2025 state budget proposal this week, filling in details on proposals unveiled during the Governor’s 2024 State of the State Address. With COVID-era surplus funds largely depleted, finding new funds for ambitious projects will be challenging, but our Advocacy Team will be on the lookout for continued programmatic opportunities for credit unions in the appropriations space. We also remain hard at work on collections and garnishment reforms that were proposed last year, as well as bad faith insurance, and GAP waiver issues. We will also be closely monitoring possible efforts on significant state-level reforms to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. Signaled as a priority of the Office of the Attorney General early last year, there has not been significant movement since, but that may change come April when the House is restored to full strength.
While much of 2024 already promises a defensive legislative focus in Lansing, we are excited to see movement in the House on Senate Bills 388 and 389, which would enact technical and housekeeping changes to the Michigan Credit Union Act and the state’s Uniform Unclaimed Property Act dealing with escheating dormant accounts. We also anticipate introduction this spring of wide-ranging amendments to the state’s Uniform Commercial Code, which should contain beneficial provisions on electronic signatures and wire transfers. And, discussions are ongoing about what a permanent state-level CDFI Fund might look like.
In Washington, D.C., there hasn’t been much recent movement on legislation impacting interchange or other key priorities. However, the U.S. House passed a bipartisan tax package last week focused on enhancing the child tax credit so that more low-income families would be able to claim it, and adjusting the credit for inflation starting in 2025. The legislation also helps businesses by allowing them to immediately deduct dollars they’ve put into research rather than taking the deduction over five years. It would similarly allow businesses to immediately deduct dollars they’ve invested in machinery and equipment and relax limits on businesses being able to deduct interest payments. In addition, the bill contains a provision dealing with the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) that would move up the deadline for filing backdated ERC claims to Jan. 31, 2024 from April 15, 2025. The savings expected to be realized from the provision would be used to offset the majority of the $78 billion cost attributed to bill. It is currently unclear currently whether the bill will pass in the U.S. Senate. Senate Republicans are raising objections to the bill for a number of reasons, including their assertion that it will add $400 billion to the national debt between 2024-2033 and concerns centering around the child tax credit and immigration issues. With regard to the federal appropriations process, it appears an agreement has been reached between the leadership of the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees on funding allocations between the twelve Subcommittees that determine funding for specific departments and programs under each body’s jurisdiction. The next steps in the funding process will unfold over the coming weeks.
For a full update on state and federal regulatory action, please see the “Reg Corner” update in this edition of MI League Minute.
Grassroots and Advocacy Funding
Thank you to everyone that has participated so far in the 2024 Lapel Pin Program! For those looking for information, please visit Lapel Pin - Michigan Credit Union League (mcul.org). With regard to substantive or compliance questions on state PAC issues, or state PAC remittance questions, please contact DaeSean (DaeSean.Ashby@mcul.org); for federal PAC questions please contact Todd (Todd.Jorns@mcul.org). Kieran is also able to assist with these, as is Aria (Aria.Ottenbreit@mcul.org) on processing issues.
Our GAC in Washington, D.C. is coming up quickly, and we are excited that nearly 150 Michigan attendees are registered! For those attending, our Know Before You Go calls will take place on Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 10:00 a.m. Please reach out to Todd with any questions or for registration information!
Elections
The Special Primary Elections to fill two state House vacancies were held at the end of January. In the 13th District, Mai Xiong defeated a pair of challengers in the Democratic Primary, as did Ronald Singer in the Republican Primary. In the 25th District, Peter Herzberg survived a five-way contest in the Democratic Primary, and Josh Powell won an uncontested election in the Republican Primary. The General Elections for both seats will be held on April 19. Due to the presumed partisan base composition of both seats, they are projected by most insiders to remain in the hands of the Democrats. MCUL has not yet weighed in on either seat.
The Executive Committee of the MCUL’s Government and Political Affairs Forum met in January to kick off the year, and will meet monthly throughout this 2024 Election Year as they always do. As they and our Advocacy Team reviews various state and federal candidates, please let us know what you are hearing in your home districts! If you or credit union are familiar with a particular candidate or have insights into a particular race, we absolutely need to hear from you! Please contact DaeSean, Todd or Kieran about any of these folks and we will make sure your information is part of our process.
As per our normal practice during election cycles, a full list of endorsed state and federal candidates will continue to be included at the bottom of this update and will be updated onto our website once our new site is unveiled early next year.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Michigan’s credit unions! Have a wonderful holiday and we will see you in 2024!!
Sincerely,
Patty Corkery and the MCUL Advocacy Team
2024 Election Endorsements
U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin
MCULAF is a state-registered political action committee that makes campaign contributions to candidates for elective office in Michigan. Contributions to MCULAF are not tax deductible. Contributions to MCULAF are completely voluntary and will be used for political purposes. You have the right to refuse without any reprisal. Must be 18 years or older to participate. Must be a member or qualified employee of an affiliated Michigan credit union.
Contributions to MCULLAF are not considered charitable contributions or business expenses for income tax purposes. Contributions to MCULLAF are completely voluntary and will be used for political purposes. There shall be no reprisal for those who decide not to contribute. Must be a member of a participating MCUL-affiliated Michigan credit union and 18 years or older to participate. No corporate contributions, personal contributions only.
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