Leading Businesses. Moving Michigan Forward.

Policy & Politics

Chamber Policy Committees

Council on Agriculture
Paul Karlovich
C. Raker and Sons
Jason Geer
Small Business Advocate & Chamber Partnership Manager
The Michigan Chamber’s Council on Agriculture focuses on issues related to agriculture and agri-business. The agriculture sector has remained a bright spot in Michigan’s economy and is playing an increasingly strong role in Michigan’s overall economic diversification. The Chamber’s Agriculture Council is made up of leaders throughout the agriculture sector and seeks to advocate for policies that will strengthen Michigan’s agricultural economy.

2012 Meeting Dates:
TBA

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.
Energy and Environment
David Gustafson
Dow Chemical
Jason Geer
Small Business Advocate & Chamber Partnership Manager
The Michigan Chamber’s Energy and Environment Committee focuses on a wide range of regulatory and legislative issues related to air emission, water use, waste management, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy rates. The committee is made up of experts within companies from across Michigan. Members of the committee are responsible for developing proposed policies relating to environmental and energy issues. The primary focus of the committee is on state-level issues under consideration in Lansing; however, the committee also addresses related federal issues. Policy recommendations from the committee are forwarded to the Michigan Chamber Board of Directors for action at one of its three yearly meetings. Following Board approval, Chamber staff is responsible for carrying out policy through legislative testimony, agency and public relations activities.

2012 Meeting Dates:
Thursday, September 13
Thursday, December 13

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.
Health and Human Resources
David Leonard
Spectrum Health System
General Counsel
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 policy debate over health care, human resources 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 for reasonable proposals that enable employers to provide cost-effective health insurance benefits; expand flexibility, competition and choice in the health insurance marketplace; protect employers’ rights to manage their workplace with limited governmental involvement and regulation; and protect Michigan’s legal reform climate. The committee is also responsible for development of policy proposals for approval by the Chamber's Board of Directors.

2012 Meeting Dates:
Wednesday, May 23
Tuesday, December 18

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.
Tax Policy
Curtis Ruppal
Plante Moran
Partner
Tricia Kinley
Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform
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.

2012 Meeting Dates:
Friday, June 8
Friday, September 7
Friday, December 7

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.