Metropolitan Affairs Coalition

Public policy - public policy projects include the future of healthcare task force (the "task force") and the federal and state platform. See schedule o for additional information about this program.the pandemic heightened awareness of the importance and impact of healthcare on individuals, the public, and providers. Partly as a result, healthcare systems are adapting to challenges and opportunities created by this awareness, as well as research on the social determinants of health, financial realities, and customer and workforce expectations.the task force will consider factors that will determine the future of healthcare, in particular, the demand for health equity, access to behavioral and physical services, affordability, public health, technological advances, impact of housing, parks, and environmental factors. The task force will identify policies for creating a more resilient healthcare system that improves the quality of life for individuals and communities.mac's 2023-2024 federal and state platform promotes equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity by focusing on public policy issues related to economic development, infrastructure, the environment, education, healthcare, and government operations. Mac's implementation strategy will be guided by approved and ongoing positions, including: - prioritizing state investments in infrastructure, education, workforce, and local communities- supporting mac policies on issues such as government effectiveness, public health, and infrastructure- on-going priorities including support for transit and transportation planning and fundingthis work may include:- convening issue advisory teams- creating opinion papers- co-sponsoring "pulse of the region" citizen surveys- sponsoring issues forums- utilizing media releases, guest commentaries, and letters to the editor to share consensus positionsmac will publish information and activities related to this work in mac's online newsletter, on its website, and on its facebook page.

Building one community - mac continued to promote efforts that encourage and strengthen regional cooperation to enhance the vitality and economy of southeast Michigan. See schedule o for additional information about this program.the shining light awards ceremony was held on october 5, 2023. This year's honorees included the following:- the neal shine award for exemplary regional leadership was awarded to maura corrigan, Michigan supreme court justice (retired).- the eleanor josaitis unsung hero award was awarded to anthony white, artistic director of the detroit youth choir and performing arts company.- the dave bing future leader award was awarded to sharnese marshall, founder and chief executive officer of the konnection.mac received great board support, with many members in attendance. Detroit free press editor nicole avery nichols opened the program, congresswoman debbie dingell delivered greetings on behalf of mac, and mac president amy o'leary highlighted mac's goals. Debbie, nicole, amy, and thom linn appeared in the introductory video talking about the importance of the awards to promote regional cooperation and leadership.mac increased its number of sponsors to 14, with board members dte energy, flagstar bank, itc holdings, and the Michigan regional council of carpenters at the $5,000 program sponsor level, and barton malow, blue cross blue shield of Michigan, comcast, corewell, the Michigan economic development corporation, the international union of operating engineers, plante moran, and the uaw, as well as non-member the non-profit personnel network, serving as $2,500 award sponsors. Wjbk fox 2 news anchor roop raj promoted the event and served as a presenter along with carol cain, host of the sunday news program Michigan matters and columnist for the detroit free press. As part of civic partnerships, mac shared information and collaborated with other civic organizations (such as the detroit regional chamber, the citizens research council, and semcog) on issues of common interest and importance to southeast Michigan.

Economic development - mac and semcog developed an updated regional economic development strategy to serve as a roadmap for mac's activities. The strategy looks at these key elements through the lens of health and equity:- advancing innovation and technology- preparing and connecting talent with jobs- investing in critical infrastructure- fostering a competitive business climate- creating and marketing quality places- anticipating demands for land usesee schedule o for additional information about this program.the program includes the following initiatives:- implementing "broadband in southeast Michigan: expansion, engagement and equity", a regional framework for broadband in the region, which focuses on increasing availability and access to high speed internet in southeast Michigan by developing strategies and initiatives to fill the gaps, and will include developing a one-stop destination to assist communities and other stakeholders to understand issues such as the digital divide, digital literacy, cyber security, and increasing access to resources- continuing to promote the urgency for increasing the region's competitiveness and leadership in the mobility industry by upskilling and retraining the workforce, improving site readiness, addressing utility costs, and improving the business climate, as well as working with key stakeholders, including the detroit regional partnership, on implementation of the global epicenter of mobility initiative, the Michigan department of labor and economic development office of future mobility, michauto, and policy makers to align efforts- continuing to promote labor force participation and equity in education and workforce development, including the promotion of support services to help students and workers overcome barriers, preparing the workforce for the changing nature of jobs and supporting the governor's 60/30 initiative, reskilling and upskilling workers for high growth occupations, increasing awareness and access to training and education, and promoting innovative hiring practices- continuing to develop new products for the career pathways campaign in partnership with business, education, and workforce development partners to promote opportunities in skilled trades, healthcare, information technology, and other in-demand occupations