LANSING, Mich.) – The Michigan Chamber released the following statement from Wendy Block, senior vice president of business advocacy, in response to the introduction of House Bills 4001 and 4002 to fix the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and minimum wage law slated to go into effect on Feb. 21, 2025.

“We appreciate Speaker Hall and the House Republican caucus’ leadership on fixing the onerous Earned Sick Time Act and minimum wage law. It is crucial for commonsense policy changes to these laws be passed before they go into effect on Feb. 21, and we are looking forward to working with the House and Senate to ensure these laws are workable and implementable for businesses and workers alike.”

Fixing Earned Sick Time and minimum wage/tips must be addressed; stopping tax increases through employer-funded enemployment and workers’ comp, plus costly regulations is critical

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Legislature is considering numerous dangerous policy changes that could devastate Michigan’s economy. A number of bills, many only proposed in the last few weeks, had hearings and were advanced as the clock ticks down on the remaining two weeks of the 2023-24 legislative session.

The potential for the cumulative impact of anti-growth policy proposals now before the Legislature has the business community sounding alarm bells – but also stressing that urgent action is needed to make consensus changes to the Earned Sick Time Act to improve implementation for employers and employees alike.

“Michigan’s path to growth is at grave risk with the multitude of risky economic proposals proposed in Lansing,” said Wendy Bock, senior vice president of business advocacy for the Michigan Chamber. “The sheer number of anti-business, anti-jobs proposals currently in play in the State Capitol is staggering and concerning – everything from giving Michigan’s 1,800 local units of government the right pass their own local employment laws to drastically increasing employer-financed workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance costs to opening and incentivizing new avenues to sue businesses large and small.”

(LANSING, Mich.) – The Michigan Chamber released the following statement in response to the Michigan Senate’s passage of legislation (Senate Bill 40 and House Bill 5827) today to drastically increase UI benefits – and costs to employers, who fund 100% of the cost of the UI system.

The MI SUCCESS Coalition, a growing new coalition representing multiple environmental, labor, manufacturing, and energy entities – including the Michigan Chamber – today announced its support of newly introduced legislation that will position Michigan as a national leader in the use of safe, high-tech carbon capture and storage technology (CCUS).

(LANSING, Mich.) – The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today released the following statements regarding the preliminary results from the Nov. 5 general election.

“We look forward to putting the divisive and polarizing November elections behind us and focusing on the work important to our state’s shared future – starting with the impending Lame Duck legislative session,” said Jim Holcomb, president & CEO. “There are a number of pending issues that could positively – or negatively – impact whether the Great Lakes State is an attractive place to grow jobs, population and prosperity. Together, we can build a stronger Michigan for all.”

“It’s time for our elected leaders to come together and commit to pragmatic problem solving to address the key challenges facing Michigan – beginning with passing bipartisan legislation to make the Supreme Court’s decision on paid sick time and minimum wage more workable for workers and businesses alike,” said Wendy Block, senior VP of business advocacy. “We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

Holcomb and Block also thanked all candidates up and down the ballot who put themselves out there in the spirit of public service.

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[Oct. 15, 2024, Lansing, MICH]— The National Civics Bee will be back and expanding in Michigan for 2025, the Michigan Chamber Foundation proudly announced today. The Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

• The National Civics Bee is returning and expanding across Michigan for 2025
• The Michigan Chamber Foundation, along with 10 local chambers, will host 2025 community, statewide Bees to encourage informed, active citizens and spur community engagement
• All Michigan 6th, 7th and 8th graders from any public, private, charter, or home schools are eligible to participate
• Essay portal now open! Students submit essays between Oct. 15, 2024 and Feb. 4, 2025
• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools student Evan Zhen to represent Michigan at national competition Nov. 12 in Washington, D.C. and chance to win up to $50K