November Roundup
Dear Credit Union Leaders,
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and the Lions just keep winning! Here are the updates you need as we race toward the end of fall.
Advocacy
In Washington, D.C., extension of continuing resolutions to fund the government are at the top of the discussion list. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has proposed a “two-tier” extension – pushing funding for some agencies out to Jan. 19, and others to Feb. 2 – to avert another looming shutdown. The proposal does not include steep spending cuts that conservatives are demanding, but also does not include funding for efforts in Ukraine or Israel. It remains to be seen if Democrats will assist with passage of such a measure, or whether Speaker Johnson can hold enough votes together within his own conference, among which he can only lose four. As funding battles loom, we remain on high alert in our battle against interchange and the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) of 2023 (S.1838/H.R. 3881). These debates over funding and other must-pass pieces of legislation toward the end of the year will continue to provide avenues for the bill’s sponsors and proponents to push for its inclusion. As always, we continue to strongly encourage you to use CUNA’s Grassroots Action Center to take action today and contact your members of Congress, and continue to encourage your employees, volunteers, and members to do the same.
U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has approved moving forward on the nomination of Tanya Otsuka to the NCUA Board. If ultimately approved by the full Senate, she will replace Rodney Hood for a six-year team. As of now, no final floor vote has been scheduled on her nomination. For a full update on state and federal regulatory action, please see the “Reg Corner” update in this edition of MI League Minute.
In Lansing, the state legislature has finished voting for the year and will adjourn the first half of the biennium sine die on Nov. 14. This marks the first time in over 50 years that our legislature has adjourned before December. Through the close of this year’s session, our team remained focused defensively on bills dealing with collections (state law bankruptcy exemptions and garnishments), labor and wage issues, GAP waivers, “bad faith” insurance practices, and consumer protection. Legislation making technical adjustments to the Michigan Credit Union Act (MCUA) regarding escheats of dormant military and reservist accounts passed the state Senate and is now awaiting further action in the House. We expect the two bills in this package to be procedurally reunited into one committee early next year. Michigan’s version of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act has been signed into law as 2023 PA 187. This bill was successfully amended to address many credit union concerns surrounding acceptance of these documents. We are still tracking legislation to broaden accessibility of the Housing and Community Development Fund within MSHDA. This legislation nearly passed toward the end of the session but fell one vote shy. The voting board was cleared and we expect the legislature to return to the bill next year.
As a reminder, the MEDC opened its next round of State CDFI Fund grant applications on Oct. 31 for a short window that will run through the end of November. The application and information can be found here. For CDFI-certified credit unions that are considering applying for these funds, please check in with Kieran (Kieran.Marion@mcul.org) on any questions.
Grassroots and Advocacy Funding
As a reminder, 2024 CUNA GAC will be here before we know it! Many of you have already booked hotels and hopefully registered for the event. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Todd (Todd.Jorns@mcul.org). 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 Maria (Maria.Moore@mcul.org) for these as well.
Elections
At the state level, Reps. Kevin Coleman and Lori Stone both won their bids to become Mayor of their home cities. This will have a significant impact on the second half of legislative session in Lansing, as the Democrats’ slim majority temporarily becomes a 54-54 tie. While no announcements have been made as to special election dates to replace the two lawmakers, most observers believe special primaries will be held in conjunction with the Presidential Primary on February 27 and the generals on or near early May’s regular election. With a tie in the legislature, any legislation that passes will need bipartisan agreement to do so until these seats are filled.
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 shortly.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Michigan’s credit unions!
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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