News Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 17, 2009
CONTACT: Doug Roberts, Jr., or Jim Holcomb
517-371-2100
MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXPRESSES STRONG OPPOSITION TO PASSAGE
OF LEGISLATION TO RETAIN STATE CONTROL OF PERMITTING FOR WETLANDS PROJECTS
LANSING, Mich. – On Wednesday, September 16th, the
Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee passed Senate Bill 785 – legislation
to needlessly retain the state’s obligation for permitting wetlands projects by
borrowing funds from the Clean Michigan Initiative, reports the Michigan Chamber
of Commerce.
In response to this action, Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate
General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber, offered the following comments on
behalf of the Michigan Chamber:
“We are extremely concerned that, on the same day legislative leaders agreed to budget
targets predicated on cutting state spending, the Senate Natural Resources
Committee approves legislation that would make that task more difficult to
achieve. Retaining the current program would be a waste of taxpayer dollars
because it is duplicative of federal efforts without adding value.”
Doug Roberts, Jr., Director of Environmental & Energy Policy for the Michigan Chamber, offered
these additional comments:
"The Michigan Senate demonstrated bold leadership earlier this year by passing a comprehensive
package of bills (SB 13, 431, 434, 435, 436, 438, 439) to reign in the ability
of state agencies to issue damaging rules and operational memorandums that
discourage jobs and investment from occurring in our state.
“Enacting SB 785 will allow the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to
continue to issue arbitrary decisions and be an obstacle to economic growth and
job creation.
“The best plan to encourage job creation and economic competitiveness with other states is
to enact Senator Roger Kahn’s legislation (Senate Bill 187) – a bill to ensure
that the program is turned over to the Army Corps of Engineers like 48 other
states have done.
“Senator Kahn’s bill is directly aimed at right-sizing our government and ensuring that
Michigan becomes economically competitive in the race to attract jobs.” 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:
September 17, 2009
CONTACT: Bob Thomas or Betty McNerney
517-371-2100
MICHIGAN CHAMBER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES "GREAT IDEAS FOR MICHIGAN"
PROJECT
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Chamber Foundation, the
non-profit arm of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, this week launched its
“Great Ideas for Michigan” project (www.greatideasformichigan.org)
to seek innovative ideas that reach beyond government responsibility and help
improve Michigan’s quality of life. The project is the newest program of a
revitalized Michigan Chamber Foundation.
“Every Michigander has an opinion about what would make
Michigan a better place to live, work and do business,” said Kelly
Rossman-McKinney, Chair of the Michigan Chamber Foundation Board of Directors.
“Working families, business owners and community leaders know what Michigan
needs and we want to hear from them.”
Great Ideas for Michigan is a campaign to encourage innovative and creative ideas that will
improve the quality of life for Michigan residents. Submissions will be made
through the website and can be rated and discussed in an open online forum. The
effort will focus on six categories to improve Michigan: Rebuilding communities
and transportation; enjoying Michigan’s vast resources; achieving a healthy
Michigan; revitalizing Michigan’s economy; improving educational attainment; and
modernizing all levels of government.
“Michigan needs fresh ideas, bold ideas, creative ideas,” said Rich Studley, President & CEO of the
Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “Everyday citizens from all walks of life are
standing around water coolers or sitting at their kitchen tables talking about a
good idea that would make their neighborhood, city or the state better.”
"We are looking for creative, original thoughts at the
neighborhood, regional or statewide level,” said Bob Thomas, Michigan Chamber
Director of Operations. “They might be innovative concepts that can be developed
or concrete projects that can be applied in any community.”
Betty McNerney, Michigan Chamber Senior Director of Communications, indicated a
published report will be made available in the spring of 2010 highlighting 50 of
the ideas as part of the Michigan Chamber’s 50th anniversary celebration. “All
the ideas will be catalogued on the website, but the top 50 ideas will be
selected based on their viability, innovation, and potential for statewide or
regional impact,” she noted.
McNerney added that the final report will be widely distributed and available to all participants, the media,
nonprofit and community leaders, elected officials and candidates that are
running for public office. “We are seeking ideas that Michigan can run with,”
said McNerney.
Great Ideas for Michigan is the newest
project of the Michigan Chamber Foundation, which also includes the Leadership
Michigan and Future Forum programs and produces research studies and education
programs on economic issues facing Michigan. The Michigan Chamber Foundation is
a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization affiliated with the Michigan Chamber of
Commerce.
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:
September 16, 2009
CONTACTS:
See List Below
MICHIGAN’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY LAUNCHES BILLBOARD IN CALL FOR
STRUCTURAL REFORM
Leaders of Business Organizations Statewide Continue Call for Action in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. – One week after calling on Michigan’s elected leaders to enact significant structural reform as part of the state’s budget solution, business and trade organizations from around the state announced the use of a
billboard
campaign to remind the Governor and legislators that two weeks remain before another state shutdown.
The organizations are speaking with one voice to make clear that it is crucial to right-size government through cuts and streamlining. Thereafter, it is critical to pass meaningful reforms for reshaping and revitalizing Michigan to avoid a similar crisis situation in the future.
“We are pleased with the reported progress that is being made to balance the budget without tax increases,” said Bill Martin, Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Association of REALTORS ®. “Legislative leaders are taking their jobs seriously and should be applauded.”
“While the passage of the budget is a laudable goal, we must also immediately capitalize on this opportunity to significantly and boldly reform and revitalize Michigan government,” said Rob Fowler, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. “Michigan’s elected leaders should know that Michigan’s business leaders and their constituents are watching to see what is coming out of Lansing not only in the next two weeks, but in weeks immediately thereafter. We have high expectations.”
The major business and trade organizations joining the call for reform
include: Michigan Association of Realtors; Small Business Association of
Michigan; National Federation of Independent Businesses; Detroit Renaissance;
Michigan Manufacturers Association; Michigan Association of Home Builders;
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan; Michigan Bankers Association;
Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Detroit Regional Chamber; Grand Rapids Area
Chamber of Commerce; Lansing Regional Chamber; and the Kalamazoo Regional
Chamber.
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Note: Media inquiries may be addressed to the following individuals:
Jim Holcomb
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
(517) 371-2100
Sarah Hubbard
Detroit Regional Chamber
(517) 881-7898
Jared Rodriguez
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
(616) 771-0359
&
Kristin Beltzer
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
(517) 853-6453
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 8, 2009
CONTACTS:
See List Below
MICHIGAN’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SPEAKS WITH ONE VOICE FOR STRUCTURAL REFORM
Leaders of Business Organizations Statewide Call for Action in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. – Leaders of multiple statewide business organizations
today spoke with one voice in calling on Governor Jennifer Granholm and state
legislators to enact significant structural reform to state government prior to
the beginning of the October 1 fiscal year.
“Passing a budget that once again patches things together and kicks the can
down the road another year or two would be considered a complete failure of
state government,” said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy and
Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
“Michigan’s business leaders expect that Michigan’s elected leaders will go
beyond their minimum constitutional duty and set Michigan on a path to reform
and revitalization.”
"The business community knows that the time for single house or single branch
solutions is over and real structural reform must be enacted prior to the start
of the October 1 fiscal year,” said Sarah Hubbard, Senior Vice President of
Government Affairs for the Detroit Regional Chamber.
“The business community is cognizant of the fact that reform is never easy,”
said Jared Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand
Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “We stand committed in supporting those
legislators that will provide the leadership to properly solve this ongoing
budget crisis by enacting long-term reform to revitalize Michigan government.”
““Business organizations from around the state are ready to assist legislators
and the Governor in rallying support for significant structural reform,” added
Kristin Beltzer, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs
for the Lansing Regional Chamber. “To help guide the discussion, we’ve provided
each legislative office with a list of reforms that should be part of the
discussion."
“To be clear, individually, our organizations see various degrees of merit in
the individual reform proposals,” Holcomb noted. “Without question, though, we
agree that the worst option is to do nothing.”
The major business and trade organizations joining the call for reform
include: Michigan Association of Realtors; Small Business Association of
Michigan; National Federation of Independent Businesses; Detroit Renaissance;
Michigan Manufacturers Association; Michigan Association of Home Builders;
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan; Michigan Bankers Association;
Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Detroit Regional Chamber; Grand Rapids Area
Chamber of Commerce; Lansing Regional Chamber; and the Kalamazoo Regional
Chamber.
The list of suggested reforms for consideration includes:
- Pool all health care plans for public employees.
- Establish an Office of Medicaid Inspector General to specifically
investigate Medicaid fraud.
- Reform Public Act 312 to change arbitration standards for police and
fire.
- Reform Urban Cooperation Act and two other similar acts to eliminate
requirement that when a service merger occurs, the higher wage and benefits
must be paid.
- Require all new teachers hired by a date certain in the future to have
defined contribution, rather than defined benefit, retirement plans.
- Move all administrative functions of local schools to the ISD, leaving
local school boards with only academic and athletic functions.
- Privatize food service, mental health services, and transportation in
prisons.
- Increase minimum retirement/years of service for all public employees to
be eligible for retirement benefits.
- Increase state employee and retiree health care premium co-pays.
- Exempt government construction from prevailing wage statutes.
- Eliminate road patrol function of Michigan State Police and let county
sheriffs take over that function.
- Require that school districts competitively bid all non-core functions,
including transportation, food service, and custodial work.
- Reduce the number of school districts.
- Reduce mandatory minimum sentences and increase parole rates for all
crimes.
- Make Michigan Promise scholarships a forgivable loan, rather than a
scholarship, requiring participants to work in Michigan for two years
following completion of their degree.
- School employees pay 25% of health insurance costs.
- Reduce state worker benefits to national average.
- Cap school superintendent pay.
- Require program efficiency studies in all government programs to
eliminate waste.
- Eliminate undocumented and potentially fraudulent child care payments.
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Note: Media inquiries may be addressed to the following individuals:
Jim Holcomb
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
(517) 371-2100
Sarah Hubbard
Detroit Regional Chamber
(517) 881-7898
Jared Rodriguez
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
(616) 771-0359
&
Kristin Beltzer
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
(517) 853-6453
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 4, 2009
CONTACTS: See List Below
BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCES SEPTEMBER 8 TO SPEAK WITH UNIFIED VOICE CALLING FOR STATE BUDGET REFORMS
LANSING, Mich. – A series of three press conferences will be
held across the state on Tuesday, September 8 by members of Michigan’s business
community to demand that reforms, not tax increases, become the focus of
discussions to balance the state budget.
The press conferences will be held at the following times and
locations:
-
9:00 a.m. – Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, 111
Pearl St., Grand Rapids.
-
11:00 a.m. – State Capitol, Lansing, Room 424.
-
2:00 p.m. – Detroit Regional Chamber, 1 Woodward, Ste
1900, Detroit.
Scheduled speakers for the Grand Rapids press conference
include: Jared Rodriguez, Vice President of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids
Area Chamber of Commerce; Jim Holcomb, Vice President, Business Advocacy &
Associate General Counsel, Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Bill Martin, CEO,
Michigan Association of Realtors; Rob Fowler, President, Small Business
Association of Michigan, Bob Roth, President and CEO, RoMan Manufacturing; and
John Weiss, President of Design+.
Scheduled speakers for the Lansing press conference include:
Kristen Beltzer, Vice President, Government Relations/Public Policy, Lansing
Regional Chamber of Commerce; Sarah Hubbard, Senior Vice President, Government
Relations, Detroit Regional Chamber; Jim Holcomb; Bill Martin; and Rob Fowler.
Speaking at the Detroit press conference will be: Robert
Campau, Vice President, Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Michigan Association of
Realtors; Sarah Hubbard; Jim Holcomb; and Rob Fowler.
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Note: Media inquiries may be addressed to the following
individuals:
Jim Holcomb
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
(517) 371-2100
Sarah Hubbard
Detroit Regional Chamber
((517) 881-7898
Mike Batterbee
Small Business Association of Michigan
(517) 482-8788
Andy Johnston
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
((616) 771-0335
Kristin Beltzer
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
(517) 853-6453
Robert Campau
Michigan Association of Realtors
(517) 372-8890
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 1, 2009
CONTACT: Wendy Block
(517) 371-7678
MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOINS EMPLOYERS FOR QUALITY HEALTH CARE; CALLS
FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM -- BUT NOT IF IT RAISES TAXES, KILLS JOBS
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has joined
Employers for Quality Health Care, an unprecedented multi-state alliance of 20
state chambers of commerce and employer organizations formed to advocate for
federal health care reforms that reduce costs, improve quality and extend
coverage to more Americans – but not if it raises taxes, kill jobs or erodes
employer-sponsored coverage.
"The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Employers for Quality
Health Care support efforts underway in Congress to reform the health care
system for individuals and job providers alike and share many of their goals,"
said Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan
Chamber.
“However, we oppose many of the drastic changes currently
under consideration that would duplicate the failed systems of other nations,
including an employer mandate, a costly new government-run health care system
that would take away options for the over 5.7 million Michigan citizens who have
employer-provided coverage and taxes on employers and employees to cover the
costs of the $1.2 to $2.4 trillion proposal," said Jim Holcomb Vice President of
Business Advocacy and Associate Legal Counsel for the Michigan Chamber.
“As Congress returns from its August recess, we hope they will
take the productive input they've received from constituents in town hall
meetings and other venues and start the process anew with a focus on cost-saving
reforms that eliminate mandates, empower consumers to make informed decisions
about competition and costs, and provide incentives that emphasize healthy
behaviors,” said Block.
“We stand ready to work with Michigan's Congressional
Delegation to achieve this objective," concluded Holcomb.
For additional information about the coalition, see the
press
release from Employers for Quality Health Care and/or visit
www.employersforqualityhealthcare.org.
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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