FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 27, 2010

CONTACT: Doug Roberts, Jr.
517-371-2100

MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOINS THE FIGHT TO PROTECT JOBS IN MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA

LANSING, Mich. – A petition drive aimed at banning most types of mining in Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula, would have a negative impact on job creation and business growth across the state, says the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. The Michigan Chamber’s Board of Directors yesterday voted unanimously to join the fight to protect jobs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and across the state by opposing this dangerous effort to politicize the regulatory process by banning mining.

 “Michigan’s mining industry has long played an important role in our state’s economy, especially in the Upper Peninsula,” said Rich Studley, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber. “Getting Michigan moving forward again means we must be a state that grows things and makes things. Making things in Michigan means mining and manufacturing, which go hand-in-hand.”

“With the unanimous support from our Board of Directors, the Michigan Chamber will join Citizens to Protect Michigan Jobs and fight to defeat this irresponsible proposal,” Studley added.

A proposed new nickel mine outside of Ishpeming is the target of a ballot initiative by Detroit-area environmental activists.

“What this ballot initiative seeks to do is amend the state’s mining law to prohibit mining within 2,000 feet of a water body,” explained Doug Roberts, Jr., Director of Environmental & Energy Policy for the Michigan Chamber. “Almost everywhere in Michigan is within 2,000 feet of a water body, so this would essentially ban all new mining in Michigan.”

“In addition to investing in Michigan to create good jobs and produce a product that is essential to many types of manufacturing, the company that would operate the new mine (Kennecott) has done all of the right things to comply with the toughest mining law in the country,” noted Roberts. “It is unfair and disingenuous that environmental groups that supported Michigan’s mining law are now trying to change the rules of the game after the permit has been approved.”

“Michigan’s employers need a consistent regulatory environment to make multi-million-dollar investments over multi-year periods,” said Roberts. “At a time when our state has the highest unemployment rate in the country, this anti-jobs petition drive sends a terrible message that Michigan is closed for business.” 

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is among a growing list of organizations opposed to the statutory initiative, including: all members of the State Legislature from the Upper Peninsula; local chambers of commerce executives and business leaders in the U.P, such as the Lake Superior Community Partnership; and local governmental officials in the U.P., including the U.P. Association of County Commissions.  

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 7,000 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. It is one of only four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

- 30 -

Top of Page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 21, 2010

CONTACT: Bob LaBrant or Jim Holcomb
517-371-2100

AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS, U.S. SUPREME COURT FINALLY RECOGNIZES CORPORATE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS, MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORTS

LANSING, Mich. – After nearly 20 years, the U.S. Supreme Court today finally recognized that corporations have free speech rights when it reversed Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce in the case of Citizens United v. FEC.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce filed an amicus brief in Citizens arguing for a reversal in the Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce decision. Funding for the brief was provided by the Michigan Chamber Litigation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to championing important precedent-setting legal issues before state and federal courts. 

"It’s gratifying after so many years to see the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledge that corporations have a First Amendment right to express their views at election time,” said Bob LaBrant, Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber.

“What this decision means is that corporations will still be prohibited from making direct contributions to candidates, but corporations will be permitted to make independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to candidates,” LaBrant explained. “The issue in Austin was about expenditures, not contributions.”

Getting to this day has been a long and arduous process, noted LaBrant. The case stemmed from an effort the Michigan Chamber launched in 1985 when the Michigan Chamber proposed to buy a quarter-page newspaper ad in the Grand Rapids Press expressly advocating the election of a candidate (Richard Bandstra) in a special election in the 93rd House District. “The Michigan Chamber, not its PAC, was going to pay for the newspaper ad,” LaBrant said. “The Michigan Chamber attempted to get an injunction to prohibit enforcement of the felony provisions for publishing the ad, but the injunction was denied.”

LaBrant further explained that a trial was held a year later on whether a non-profit corporation like the Michigan Chamber could spend money to buy such an ad under the First Amendment. The Michigan Chamber lost its case in federal district court but won on appeal in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals resulting in the case reaching the U.S. Supreme Court in 1989. The U.S. Supreme Court in Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce (1990) upheld the state’s legal prohibition on corporate expenditures.

In June 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered a re-argument in Citizens United v. FEC asking the parties to specifically address whether Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce should be reversed. A special argument before the U.S. Supreme Court was held September 9, 2009 – ultimately leading to today’s long-awaited decision in support of corporate free speech rights.

- 30 -

Top of Page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 19, 2010

CONTACT: Jim Holcomb
517-371-2100

MICHIGAN BUSINESS GROUPS APPLAUD LEADERSHIP BY SENATE REPUBLICANS IN MAKING 2010 THE  YEAR OF GOVERNMENT REFORM

LANSING, Mich. – Statewide business and trade organizations today applauded the leadership displayed by Senate Republicans in their announcement of 10 bold reforms that could trim state spending by more than $2 billion. Taxpayers are demanding that elected officials be good stewards of their money and Senate Republicans are living up to that expectation by putting forth a comprehensive plan that can facilitate passage of a balanced budget without increasing taxes.    

“Michigan is facing unprecedented economic challenges and enacting these reforms is exactly what Michigan needs to reduce cost barriers and be competitive in the global economy,” said Mike Johnston Vice President of Government Affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Association.

In September, statewide business and trade organizations released a list of 19 suggested reforms the Michigan Legislature should undertake in an effort to combat chronic structural budget deficits. “We have been meeting regularly with legislators in both chambers and both parties to urge them to reform and revitalize Michigan; these are exactly the kind of reforms we support and legislators have indicated they would like to see enacted,” said Bill Martin, CEO of the Michigan Association of Realtors.

Rob Fowler, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, added, “Business owners large and small are making tough decisions to remain competitive in a down economy; we are glad to see Senate Republicans are stepping up to the plate to force the state to live within its means.”

“The Senate’s bold agenda of reform demonstrates that tax increases are not necessary and that the path to job creation and a revitalized economy is making government smaller and more cost efficient,” said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the coalition look forward to working the legislators on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol to enact cost-saving reforms that will move Michigan forward. Coalition members include:

Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Detroit Regional Chamber
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Lansing Regional Chamber
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber
Michigan Association of Home Builders
Michigan Manufacturers Association
Michigan Restaurant Association
National Federal of Independent Business
Michigan Association of Realtors
Michigan Distributors & Vendors Association
Small Business Association of Michigan
Michigan Grocers Association
Michigan Retailers Association
Michigan Bankers Association
Michigan Business & Professional Association
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents

- 30 -

Top of Page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 12, 2010

CONTACT: Rich Studley or Jim Holcomb
517-371-2100

PATH TO REVITALIZING STATE IS PAVED WITH SPENDING RESTRAINT AND REFORMS, SAY MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LANSING, Mich. – 2011 is shaping up to be another difficult budget year, but with a disciplined approach to spending, state legislators and the Governor can put Michigan on the road to recovery, says the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

“Our state continues to face some economic challenges,” said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. “However, it remains clear that state government must live within its means and reject any general tax increases.”

“Our membership could not be clearer that increasing taxes on employers or employees is not the answer,” continued Studley. “Citizens across the state want a smaller, more efficient government and they expect elected policymakers to take the actions necessary to revitalize our economy.”

“Working families and job providers make difficult decisions every day to live within their means; state government must do the same,” Studley remarked.

Studley noted that 2010 should be the year of reforms. “If our state is to truly remake itself and compete for jobs, we must streamline and downsize state government, higher education, local schools and municipal government by acting on many of the long and growing list of overdue reform measures.”

“The cost of state government must be brought in line with taxpayer ability to pay,” said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “The biggest problem Michigan faces in the area of tax policy is that we’re running out of taxpayers. Too many have left Michigan to find jobs; too many people are unemployed; and too many employers are not profitable and are struggling to survive.” 

“A strong and growing Michigan economy is the best guarantee we can have that there will be enough revenue to adequately fund essential government services,” Holcomb continued. “It is time for elected officials to stand up and represent the millions of taxpayers who foot the bill and to stop trying to craft complicated schemes designed to reach deeper into their wallets.” 

“The Michigan Chamber will vigorously oppose any general tax increases,” Holcomb added. “During the upcoming elections, our membership will hold elected officials accountable for their votes, should they favor bigger government at the expense of taxpayers.”

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 7,000 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. It is one of only four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

- 30 -

Top of Page