Advocacy News – Nov. 30, 2022
Throughout this week, the Michigan Chamber is hosting the organization’s policy committees to discuss and develop the MI Chamber’s policy priorities going into the 2023-2024 legislative session – one of the most fundamental and formative activities that shape the Chamber’s efforts going into the new term. If you are on one of our policy committees, or are a member and are interested in joining these efforts, here’s a rundown of how the Michigan Chamber crafts top to-dos.
We have three standing committees within the Chamber:
- Energy & Environment – Led by our director of environmental and energy affairs, Mike Alaimo (malaimo@michamber.com)
- Health & Human Resources – Led by our VP of business advocacy & member engagement, Wendy Block (wblock@michamber.com)
- Tax Policy – Led by our director of legislative affairs & leadership programming, Leah Robinson (lrobinson@michamber.com)
Before each new legislative cycle, these committees – comprised by a diverse cross section of members and their employees representing businesses of all sizes and industries from across Michigan – meet to discuss legislative priorities for the upcoming term.
Although there are always new policy proposals that pop-up during the cycle, most of which affect specific industries, the Michigan Chamber’s overarching priorities are typically those that could significantly affect all businesses. Legislative priorities can range over a variety of topics, processes or even branches of the government.
Example area of priorities can include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting or opposing long-standing legislation that continues to impact businesses
- Working with executive departments to streamline, update or reform government processes
- Responding to changes within federal statute
- Reacting to statewide and national court cases that affect businesses – just to name a few!
Finally, once each committee determines its respective priorities, the items are presented to the Michigan Chamber’s Board of Directors in January to provide feedback, adjust, and ultimately, adopt.
The committees also meet quarterly and as needed to discuss legislative “hot topics,” as well as receive regular communication from our Business Advocacy Team to ensure they are aware of key upcoming or emerging issues and/or can weigh-in and help shape policy when other topics arise.
For questions, more information, or if you’re interested in joining a policy committee, please contact Leah Robinson at lrobinson@michamber.com.