2008 Legislative Accomplishments
Environmental Quality
- Played a leadership role in protecting Michigan’s natural resources with
passage of the Great Lakes Compact. This important legislation will ensure
that Michigan can utilize the water resources in a manner that will protect
the environment and allow for job creation.
What's Next: The Michigan Chamber will advocate for: halting
regulatory overreach by the Department of Environmental Quality; protecting the
Great Lakes and allowing reasonable use of water resources; enactment of
balanced solid waste and recycling laws; development of reasonable air quality
standards; and necessary reforms to reinvigorate cleanup of contaminated sites.
Energy
- Actively supported enactment of comprehensive energy reform that will
facilitate reduced costs for job providers, creation of renewable energy
standards and a process whereby Michigan can prepare for future energy needs
by improving our energy creation and distribution infrastructure. This
important modernization of Michigan’s energy laws will save job providers
approximately $400 million.
What's Next:
The Michigan Chamber will work to ensure that
Michigan’s new energy laws are being properly implemented by the Public Service
Commission and that the Legislature is being responsive to any new information
or issues that arise.
Government Interference in the Workplace
- Fought for passage of a bill to prohibit the promulgation of costly and
burdensome ergonomics standards.
What's Next: The Michigan Chamber will continue to fight to
protect employer rights in the workplace. This includes retaining the right to a
secret ballot election in the choice of union representation, while opposing the
implementation of mandatory arbitration of collective bargaining agreements.
Lawsuit Abuse
- Maintained a stable and predictable legal climate by blocking passage of
legislation to repeal important reforms to our civil justice system that
were enacted during the 1980’s and 1990’s. The proposed changes would have
padded the pockets of personal injury lawyers at the expense of other
Michigan businesses and citizens.
What’s Next:
The Michigan Chamber will remain steadfast in
its commitment to protect current state laws pertaining to general tort, medical
liability, consumer protection and products liability, including Michigan’s FDA
Defense law.
Mandated Benefits
- Led the successful effort to defeat several mandated health benefit
bills that would have further driven up health care costs for both employers
and employees. If enacted, each mandate would have added between 1% and 3%
to the cost of employer-sponsored health care.
What's Next: The Michigan Chamber will continue to oppose
costly government health care mandates and policy changes that ignore the
important role of the free market, especially in the area of benefit plan
design.
Tax Policy
- Fought for and won passage of critical modifications to the Michigan
Business Tax to reduce double taxation. It is estimated that this
legislative victory will save businesses approximately $150 million.
What's Next:
The Michigan Chamber will advocate for
government efficiency and reform; a competitive business tax system; no general
tax increases; a reduction in Michigan’s property tax burden; and strengthening
taxpayer rights. The Chamber will fight against expansions or increases of
sales, use and excise taxes.
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