Energy, Telecommunications & Technology
Committee Chair:
Staff Contact:
Doug Roberts, Jr.,
Director of Environmental & Energy Policy
The Michigan Chamber’s Energy, Telecommunications & Technology Committee focuses on a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues such as electric utility
restructuring, broadband deployment, and telecommunications. The committee will recommend policy on proposed legislation or administrative rules to the Michigan Chamber's
Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The primary focus of the Energy, Technology & Telecommunications Committee will be state-level issues under consideration in
Lansing; however, the committee may also address related federal issues.
2010 Committee Meeting Schedule: TBD
NOTE: All meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. -
Noon at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Lansing.
Notices are sent prior to each meeting. Key legislators, top agency administrators and representatives from the executive office often serve as guest speakers.
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Environmental Quality
Committee Chair: Eric
Van Dellen, Amway
Staff Contact: Doug Roberts, Jr., Director of Environmental & Energy Policy.
The Michigan Chamber's Environmental Quality Committee includes air, water, waste management and land use specialists with plant-level and corporate administrative
experience. Also serving are environmental consultants and attorneys who work closely with industry, as well as, state and federal agencies on a variety of programs such
as permit issuance, implementation of legislation and rules, and compliance.
Members of the committee are responsible for developing proposed policies relating to environmental and natural resources issues. The committee meets on a regular
basis with representatives from the Department of Environmental Quality and key legislators to develop legislation, review proposed administrative rules and analyze bills
that have been introduced in the State House and Michigan Senate. Policy recommendations are forwarded to the Michigan Chamber Board of Directors for action at one of its
quarterly meetings. Following Board approval, Chamber staff is responsible for carrying out policy through legislative testimony, agency and public relations activities.
2010 Committee Meeting Schedule: TBD
NOTE: All meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. -
Noon at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Lansing.
Notices are sent prior to each meeting. Key legislators, top agency administrators and representatives from the executive office often serve as guest speakers.
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Health and Human Resources
Committee Chair: David
Leonard, General Counsel, Spectrum Health System
Staff Contact:
Wendy Block,
Director, Health Policy and Human Resources
The purpose of the Health and Human Resources Committee is to have a positive impact on the public debate over health and human resources policy at the state and
federal level by actively representing the interests of the business community in both the legislative and regulatory process.
Basic goals of the 45-member committee are to advocate reasonable proposals to help control health care costs and other employee benefits; encourage and support
programs to measure, compare, and improve the quality of health care; develop moderate and responsible proposals to increase access to health care for the uninsured; and
work to prevent any further expansion of government mandated benefits.
The committee is also responsible for development of policy proposals for approval by the Chamber's Board of Directors.
2010 Committee Meeting Schedule: TBD
NOTE: All meetings will be held from 8:45 a.m. -
Noon at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Lansing.
Meeting notices are sent prior to each meeting. Speakers include key legislators, top agency officials and representatives from the executive office.
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Tax Policy
Committee Chair: Curtis Ruppal, Partner, Plante Moran
Staff Contact:
Jim Holcomb,
Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel
Businesses of all types and sizes are represented on the Michigan Chamber's Tax Policy Committee. Corporate tax managers, attorneys, CPAs, association executives,
consultants and others work closely with the legislature, industry and state agencies on a variety of tax related issues.
Emphasis is placed on state and local tax issues. Members are encouraged to analyze new or amended legislation and let Chamber staff know their views.
The Tax Policy Committee is also responsible for development of policy proposals to be forwarded to the Chamber's Board of Directors. The policies set the basis for
staff action through legislative testimony, agency and public relations.
2010 Committee Meeting Schedule: TBD
NOTE: All meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. -
Noon at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Lansing.
Meeting notices are sent prior to each meeting. Meeting agendas and materials are sent prior to each meeting. Guest speakers often include legislators, top agency
officials and representatives from the executive office.
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If you have any questions or would like additional information on how to become a member of a Michigan Chamber policy committee please contact:
