January 23, 2024
Dear Credit Union Leaders,
The 2024 advocacy year is off and running! Before we’re all distracted cheering for our Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game (!!!!), here are the updates you need.
Announcements
There will be an MCUL “Town Hall Discussion” on the new CFPB proposed rule on overdraft fees, on Feb. 13 at 3:00pm. You can CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for this event. Also for those interested in the upcoming session with Inclusiv and MCUL on the new CDFI application and certification process, the session on Feb. 1 will need to be revised/rescheduled. Please stay tuned for more details!
Advocacy
In Lansing, the state legislature reconvened on Jan. 10, and has started slowly. Governor Gretchen Whitmer will give her sixth State of the State Address on Jan. 24 and will present her FY 2025 budget proposal in the next few weeks. Following those two events, the legislature will likely begin its work in earnest. As we mentioned in the last edition, introduced bills from last year will carry over into the new session, unless they were defeated by vote and no motion to reconsider was made. The House is currently politically tied 54-54 until mid-April when two vacancies will be filled by special election. This should significantly slow down any controversial pieces of legislation during that period. Our Advocacy Team remains hard at work on collections and garnishment reforms that were proposed last year, as well as bad faith insurance, GAP waiver issues, and others.
In Washington, D.C., funding for federal agencies was scheduled to expire for various agencies on Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. Last week, both the U.S Senate and House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds four appropriations bills (Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy and Water, and Transportation and Housing) at FY 2023 levels until March 1, with the rest funded through March 8. The authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was also extended until March 8. Our Advocacy Team is also hard at work dissecting the new proposed rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on overdraft fees. Stay tuned for opportunities to learn about and discuss this issue in the coming days and weeks.
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
As we mentioned in the last edition, the 2024 Lapel Pin Program is up and running! This year’s design looks GREAT and we’re excited to show them off in political circles and all of our credit union events this year. You can find information at Lapel Pin - Michigan Credit Union League (mcul.org), and please contact DaeSean (DaeSean.Ashby@mcul.org) or Aria (Aria.Ottenbreit@mcul.org) with any questions.
As a reminder, please keep an eye out for information related to federal PAC permission agreement renewals. If you have not yet renewed, please take a moment to help us with this! Permission agreements can be signed for up to five years. Doing so does NOT obligate your credit union to participate in any programs and we will never contact your employees, members, or volunteers for fundraising without the permission of the credit union and working directly with the institution on a particular program. This is simply a compliance requirement that aids in our communications and provision of information within the industry. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kieran (Kieran.Marion@mcul.org) or Aria for these as well. Our team will be reaching out to those that still need to renew, in the coming weeks!
Elections
Most of the recent conversation in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow has focused on the Republican Primary side. In addition to former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, and former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, new possible names include businessman Sandy Pensler and former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash. The filing deadline is later this spring, but the race is already shaping up to be interesting, on both sides of the aisle. Our team will continue to follow developments in this open seat as well as the U.S. House 7th and 8th Districts, and any significant incumbent challenges that develop as well.
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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