News Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2009 CONTACT:
Rich Studley or Bob LaBrant at (517) 371-2100 MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S PROPOSED 2010 BALLOT PACKAGE IS RECKLESS, SAYS MICHIGAN CHAMBER
LANSING, MI — The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today expressed its opposition to a series of
possible ballot proposals announced yesterday by Michigan Democratic Party
Chairman Mark Brewer, calling the package of proposals “anti-jobs and
anti-growth.”
“Mark Brewer is playing with fire,” said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich
Studley. “The political and economic uncertainty caused by these anti-business
proposals would do serious damage to our state’s economic competitiveness.”
“Why would CEOs even consider locating in Michigan once they hear about these
proposals?” added Studley. “These proposals will almost certainly be used by
governors and economic developers in other states to encourage businesses to
leave Michigan.”
“If the Governor and Lieutenant Governor do not speak out against these
dangerous ballot proposals, Greg Main (President & CEO of the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation) should seriously consider resigning because the
Granholm-Cherry Administration will have little or no credibility with the
business community in terms of economic development,” Studley noted.
“If, in fact, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor fail to speak out against
these proposals, there is little or no reason for the Michigan Senate to take up
the bill to expand the MEGA tax credits administered by the MEDC,” Studley
continued. “There is no amount of company-specific tax breaks or Jeff Daniels
commercials you could run that would undo the damage these proposals would do to
our state’s economic competitiveness.”
“We encourage other high-ranking, responsible Democrats to also speak out
against these proposals,” said Bob LaBrant, Senior Vice President of Political
Affairs and General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “As we discovered last
year with his Reform Michigan Government Now proposal, just because Mark Brewer
does something, that doesn’t mean everyone within the Democratic Party agrees
with him.”
“Another lingering question that needs to be answered is what kind of oversight
does Mark Brewer have as chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party(MDP),”
LaBrant continued. “Was there any discussion of these proposals among
high-ranking Democrats (including Granholm and Cherry, who are both listed as
party officials on the MDP letterhead) or does Brewer just get to make this
stuff up and spend money?”
The following descriptions of the MDP proposals announced yesterday have been
taken verbatim from the MDP’s news release. The proposals are:
- Mandating all employers to provide affordable health care for their
employees and dependents or pay a penalty.
- Raising the minimum wage from $7.40/hour to $10/hour and covering all workers with no
exceptions.
- Increasing unemployment benefits by $100/week, making all workers eligible and adding six months to the
time one can receive benefits.
- Cutting utility rates by 20%.
- Imposing a one-year moratorium on home foreclosures.
“This anti-jobs, anti-growth package of proposals has cast a dark cloud over our
state’s economic development efforts. I’m not sure Mark Brewer understands the
damage he has done. He has demonstrated a profound ignorance of economic reality
and the very real challenges Michigan job providers already face,” Studley
concluded.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 50th year as a statewide business organization, now representing more than 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 only one of four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 21, 2009 CONTACT:
Wendy Block at (517) 371-2100 MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
RAISES CONCERNS WITH FLAWED FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM PROPOSAL, RUSHED TIMELINE
LANSING, MI —
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today expressed serious concern with Congress’ rushed timeline to address health care reform and urged Michigan’s Congressional Delegation to demand that legislative leaders reconsider their approach and priorities.
“Like the U.S. Chamber, the Michigan Chamber stands ready to work with Congress and the President to reform the health care system for individuals and job providers alike,” said Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources, for the Michigan Chamber. “However, if Congress does not do a better job reducing costs, increasing quality and making coverage affordable, this legislation is doomed to failure.”
“Unfortunately, Congress seems set on advancing several dangerous provisions, including a government-run insurance plan to drive competition out of the marketplace and take away options for the over 5.7 million, or 58 percent, of Michigan citizens who have employment-based coverage,” said Block. “Just as troubling is the proposed employer mandate and other major tax increases on small business owners, high income earners and others, which would be devastating to Michigan job providers who are struggling to survive the economic downturn.”
“We have serious concerns about the process being used to advance this legislation,” said Richard K. Studley, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber. “If there is one thing the Michigan Chamber has learned from 50 years of legislative experience, it’s that good public policy can stand the test of time and some sunshine.”
“We strongly urge each and every member of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation to demand that this proposal not be brought to a vote until they have read the final version in its entirety and it is available to all Michigan residents for review and comment,” Studley continued.
“The business community stands ready to work with Congress to pass health care reform legislation, but the current proposal must be reworked with an eye on how it will not only impact competition, cost and quality, but also jobs and job providers,” Studley concluded.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 50th year as a statewide business organization, now representing more than 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 only one of four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 16, 2009 CONTACT:
Rich Studley or Jim Holcomb at (517) 371-2100 MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOINS AMERICANS AGAINST FOOD TAXES; CALLS HEALTH CARE REFORM EFFORT A JOB KILLER
LANSING, MI —
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has joined Americans Against Food Taxes, a new
coalition of large and small businesses, working families and concerned
individuals formed to oppose new taxes on beverages and food, such as a tax on
juice drinks and soda currently being considered by some in Congress.
“A growing number of reports from Washington, DC, indicate that what started out
as a genuine health care reform effort is becoming a three-headed bureaucratic
monster that may kill economic recovery by destroying employer-based health
care, crushing patient choice, and gobbling up massive amounts of personal
income,” said Rich Studley, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber.
“Michigan citizens are struggling under a sluggish economy and the last thing
they need is Washington politicians needlessly raising their grocery bill to
cover the high price tag associated with their misguided attempt to overhaul the
national health care system,” said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business
Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “The type of
regressive and discriminatory taxes on food and beverages being contemplated by
Congress would impose steep financial burdens on people at a time when they can
least afford it.”
“We must urge the Michigan Congressional Delegation to not be a part of
unleashing this job-killer on Michigan’s already struggling economy,” Studley
concluded.
For more information about the coalition, visit
www.nofoodandbeveragetaxes.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 13, 2009 CONTACT:
Wendy Block, MI Chamber, (517) 371-7678
Charlie Owens, NFIB, (517) 485-3409
Jennifer Spike, MMA, (517) 487-8530 OVER 1,000 JOB PROVIDERS TELL STATE SENATE TO OPPOSE JOB-KILLING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXPANSION
LANSING, MI — Standing
united in opposition to a proposed expansion of Michigan’s 100 percent
employer-financed unemployment insurance system (HBs 4785-86), over 1,000
Michigan job providers, employing hundreds of thousands of workers, recently
signed a
letter to the State Senate urging defeat of this harmful legislative
package.
"This
letter sends a clear message to legislators that the proposed unemployment
insurance expansion is a real threat to Main Street,” said Wendy Block, Director
of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “This
proposal would increase unemployment
insurance taxes on Michigan employers at a time when they can least afford it,
which could lead to further layoffs and other reductions in business
operations.”
“While
we recognize that the appeal of $138.9 million in one-time federal money is
alluring, these dollars are not ‘free’ because
Congress has demanded that the changes to the unemployment system be made
permanent, which will increase unemployment insurance taxes on job providers to
the tune of $69.7 million per year,” said Charles Owens, State Director
for the National Federation of Independent Business.
"This proposal further exacerbates the problem that Michigan already owes over
$2 billion to the federal government for its unemployment insurance system,"
said Jennifer Spike, Director of Human Resource Policy at the Michigan
Manufacturers Association. "There are significant risks in taking on additional,
permanent costs that will further strain the unemployment insurance trust fund
and the ability to help those who are currently eligible for unemployment
checks.”
The letter to the State Senate was signed by members of several Michigan
business organizations, including the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce,
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of Insurance Agents,
Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Grocers Association, Michigan Restaurant
Association, Michigan Manufacturers Association, National Federation of
Independent Business and Small Business Association of Michigan.
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