What matters to Michigan
The Michigan Chamber supports policies that promote entrepreneurship and business success in our state. We work directly with our members to identify the challenges they face and move to find solutions that will strengthen their organization and our state’s economy. The Chamber’s legislative priorities reflect its commitment to delivering powerful advocacy and being the leading voice for business at the State Capitol.
TALENT ATTRACTION AND WORKFORCE READINESS
Across our state, employers across industries report difficulty in finding enough qualified, well-trained employees to fill critical jobs and grow their businesses. We need seamless education and workforce development policies and strategies – including embedding skills-based learning into academic instruction – that allow Michigan businesses to provide the meaningful, good-paying jobs and opportunities of today and tomorrow.
EMPLOYMENT LAW
For Michigan to be a leader in job creation and economic vibrancy and resiliency, our state’s employment laws must be fair, practical and affordable. Job providers need the flexibility to operate their businesses – and attract and retain good and talented employees – without intrusive government mandates, regulations and restrictions.
TAX CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
The success of current and future Michigan businesses is reliant on a stable, fair tax and economic climate. Policymakers should continue to reform and modernize our tax structure to stimulate growth, innovation and job creation, and give employers the opportunity to invest in their employees and communities, rather than figthing unnecessary hurdles and red tape.
ENERGY
We must remain focused on the goal of making Michigan an ideal place to do business. Energy costs will always be a primary driver for business decisions, which is why ensuring the Great Lakes State has access to competitive energy production and prices is essential to continued economic growth while adapting for the future.
ENVIRONMENT
Michigan businesses need certainty when it comes to environmental regulations. Improving the regulatory climate for permitting, siting and remediation practices through the creation of fair, transparent, cost-effective, and science-based processes will help spur economic development across Michigan while protecting our state's abundant natural resources and quality of life.
HEALTH CARE
Rising health care costs continue to be a top business concern. Offering health insurance has never been more expensive for employers. Policymakers should avoid implementing costly state and federal health insurance mandates and other plan design restrictions, and instead focus on implementing market-friendly, consumer-driven reforms that will enable job providers and individuals that will enable job providers and individuals to purchase affordable coverage in the private health insurance marketplace.
LEGAL REFORMS
To advance job creation and economic development, Michigan must have a stable, fair and reasonable legal climate. We must defend the legal reform laws we have on the books (both in the Legislature and courts), and pursue commonsense reforms that will prevent lawsuit abuse and work to preserve the integrity and credibility of our civil justice system.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORATION
To meet the growing demands of our population – and brace for a fast-changing world – Michigan needs a more durable investment strategy to improve and transform our roads, bridges, rail, water, energy, and broadband infrastructure.