FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    
September 19, 2008   

CONTACT: Doug Roberts, Jr.
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
517-371-7673

MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APPLAUDS STATE LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY REFORM

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today applauded the Michigan Legislature for passing a much-needed comprehensive energy reform for Michigan.  

“By passing this legislation (House Bills 5524 and Senate Bill 213), the Michigan Legislature has set the framework to help build new energy sources in Michigan and ensure homeowners and business have access to safe, reliable and affordable energy,” said Rich Studley, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber. “We applaud Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, House Andy Dillon, and Governor Granholm for working together on this important economic development issue.”

“Getting the fundamentals of Michigan’s economy right is a key factor in future economic growth for our state,” noted Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “Having reliable and affordable energy is an important requirement in moving Michigan forward.”

“A critically important element of this package for Michigan’s job providers is returning to electric rates based on cost of service for industrial and commercial rate payers,” explained Doug Roberts, Jr., Director of Environmental & Energy Policy for the Michigan Chamber. “Phasing out the subsidy paid by business customers over the next five years will provide over $350 million in rate relief. This much needed rate relief will help to make Michigan’s electric rates for employers more competitive with other states.”

We applaud the following lawmakers for their leadership role in fashioning this legislation: Representatives: Frank Accavitti, Jr., Jeff Mayes, Mike Nofs and David Palsrok; and Senators Patty Birkholz and Randy Richardville.

The Michigan Chamber also wishes to thank the many State Representatives and State Senators who voted to support job providers on this important issue. to view list.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business advocacy organization representing over 7,100 employers of every type and size in all 83 counties in Michigan.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    
September 2, 2008   

CONTACT: Bob LaBrant or Jim Holcomb
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
517-371-2100

MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RELEASES LEGISLATIVE VOTING RECORD AND ANNOUNCES 23 EARNED ENDORSEMENTS FOR STATE HOUSE

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today released its 2007-2008 Legislative Voting Record – A Competitiveness Scorecard for Michigan. The purpose of this document is to provide the business community and others interested in jobs and the economy with a measure of how each member of the Michigan Legislature voted on a wide range of issues impacting Michigan’s economic competitiveness.

The 2007-2008 Legislative Voting Record includes roll call votes on key business climate issues such as: education, energy, environmental quality, human resources, legal reform, tax policy, telecommunications and transportation. The voting record includes 21 roll call votes in the State House and 17 roll call votes in the Michigan Senate.

The 2007-2008 legislative session can best be categorized as one of missed opportunities,” said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “Unfortunately, these missed opportunities – to reduce burdensome taxes, stop overspending and generally enact policies to improve Michigan’s economic competitiveness – are severely impacting job providers and forcing many to evaluate whether or not their future is in Michigan.”

“Despite these missed opportunities, we are pleased to report that the Michigan Legislature did take some steps to move Michigan forward and improve its economic competitiveness by passing the Great Lakes Compact to protect water resources,” noted Michigan Chamber President & CEO, Rich Studley. “In addition, lawmakers are close to final action on a plan to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy for Michigan – legislation we are working to get passed this month.”

The Michigan Chamber’s Legislative Voting Record also serves as the basis for campaign endorsements for incumbent legislators. Any incumbent legislator seeking re-election to the same office who scores 75 percent or better receives an earned endorsement. Any lawmaker who achieves a perfect score is recognized by the Michigan Chamber as a “Champion of Commerce.”

The following 23 State Representatives are seeking re-election and have received an earned endorsement from the Michigan Chamber: Darwin Booher (R-Evart); Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire); Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell); Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy); Tonya Shuitmaker (R-Lawton); Brian Calley (R-87); Bill Caul (R-Mt. Pleasant); Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth); Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive); Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham); Phillip Pavlov (R-St. Clair); Tom Pearce (R-Rockford); John Proos (R-St. Joseph); David Agema (R-Grandville); Kevin Green (R-Wyoming); Goeff Hansen (R-Hart); Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge); James Marleau (R-Lake Orion); Paul Opsommer (R-Dewitt); Kim Meltzer (R-Clinton Township); Richard Ball (R-Laingsburg); Tim Moore (R-Farwell); and Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights).

“In addition to 23 State Representatives receiving earned endorsements, we are encouraged to note that, despite this challenging legislative session, 10 members of the State House scored a perfect 100 percent on the Michigan Chamber’s 2007-2008 Legislative Voting Record,” said Bob LaBrant, Senior Vice President of Political Affairs & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. “That’s a remarkable accomplishment.”

The following State Representatives will be recognized as a “Champion of Commerce” at the Michigan Chamber’s 2008 Future Forum & Annual Meeting on September 16th at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing:

Darwin Booher (R-Evart)
Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire)
Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell)
Joe Hune (R-Hamburg Township)
Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy)
Phillip LaJoy (R-Canton)
John Pastor (R-Livonia)
David Robertson (R-Grand Blanc)
Tonya Shuitmaker (R-Lawton)
Howard Walker (R-Traverse City)

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business advocacy organization representing over 7,100 employers of every type and size in all 83 counties in Michigan.

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