News Room
News Room
- September 13, 2006: Michigan Chamber of Commerce Endorses Mike Bouchard
for U.S. Senate
- September 12, 2006:
Michigan Chamber Urges House Lawmakers to Reject Bills to Bankrupt
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
For More Information, Contact:
Robert LaBrant, Senior Vice President Political Affairs & General Counsel
517-371-7653
For Immediate Release: September 13, 2006
MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDORSES MIKE BOUCHARD FOR
U.S. SENATE
LANSING, MICHIGAN --The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today announced
its endorsement of challenger Mike Bouchard for U.S. Senate. Bouchard, who
currently serves as Oakland County Sheriff, is seeking to unseat incumbent U.S.
Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is seeking a second term.
"Mike Bouchard has what it takes to get the job done for Michigan," said
Robert S. LaBrant, Senior Vice President of Political Affairs and General
Counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "His experience in law
enforcement, as an elected official, and as a small business owner, makes him
the best candidate for U.S. Senate."
A career law enforcement officer, Bouchard became Oakland County Sheriff in
1999. Prior to that time, Bouchard served as a State Senator from 1991-1999.
While serving in the State Senate, Bouchard was elected by his colleagues to
serve as Assistant President Pro-Tempore (1991-1994), Assistant Senate Majority
Leader (1994-1998), and Majority Floor Leader (1998-1999). Bouchard also served
in the Michigan House of Representatives in 1990 before being elected to the
State Senate in a special election.
"Mike Bouchard has a proven record of working for Michigan families and job
providers," noted LaBrant. "As a state legislator, Bouchard achieved an 88
percent cumulative voting record with the Michigan Chamber. In contrast, Debbie
Stabenow as a state legislator earned a cumulative score of just 36 percent with
the Michigan Chamber.
"During her tenure as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
(1997-2000) and now with the U.S. Senate, where she took office in 2001,
Stabenow's performance has earned her an equally unimpressive cumulative score
from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce of 49 percent," LaBrant added.
"The contrast between Bouchard and Stabenow makes it clear that Bouchard is
the right choice for Michigan," LaBrant concluded.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization which
represents more than 6,900 employers, trade associations and local chambers of
commerce. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for
Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.
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For More Information, Contact:
Wendy Block
517-371-2100
For Immediate Release: September 12, 2006
MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE URGES HOUSE LAWMAKERS TO
REJECT BILLS TO BANKRUPT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND
LANSING, MICHIGAN --The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today urged the
Michigan House of Representatives to reject the ill-timed and one-sided attack
on Michigan's 100 percent employer-financed unemployment insurance program and
instead focus on proposals that will create jobs and strengthen work incentives.
House Bills 6424-6429 – introduced by State Representatives John Espinoza
(D-Croswell), Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard), Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch), Marie
Donigan (D-Royal Oak), John Gleason (D-Flushing) and Doug Bennett (D-Muskegon) –
would increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefits from $362 to $408 for
all eligible claimants, index benefits to the rate of inflation, and extend the
number of weeks an individual would be eligible for unemployment benefits from
26 weeks to 39 weeks when the unemployment rate hits or exceeds five percent.
“This proposed legislation could not have come at a worse time for Michigan’s
job providers,” said Rich Studley, Executive Vice President of the Michigan
Chamber of Commerce. “Michigan employers currently pay the tenth highest
unemployment tax rate in the country. House Bills 6424-6429 would quickly
bankrupt Michigan’s unemployment insurance trust fund.”
According to House Fiscal Agency figures, the 13-week extension alone would
cost approximately $550 million, bankrupting Michigan’s Unemployment Trust Fund
and triggering an automatic increase in payroll taxes levied on Michigan
employers.
“It’s unfortunate that some lawmakers are scheming for political gain on this
issue when they very well know that a massive payroll tax will need to be levied
on Michigan employers to pay for their proposal,” said Wendy Block, Director of
Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber. “This proposal will
only make Michigan’s business climate – and ultimately its unemployment rate
–worse.
“This unfunded proposal is not the solution to Michigan’s economic woes and
legislators should reject it,” Block concluded.
The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization which represents
more than 6,900 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce.
The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan’s
job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.
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