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230 N. Washington Sq.
Suite 202
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 853-2545
Fax: (517) 853-2546
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Schuette and Moolenaar Announce Appeal to Defend Fair and Open Competition Act
Attorney General Bill Schuette and Senator John Moolenaar (R-Midland) announced the State of Michigan will appeal a ruling by a federal court that overtu rned the Michigan Fair and Open Competition and in Governmental Construction Act. The law increases competition and lowers costs to taxpayers by allowing all contractors, regardless of union or non-union affiliation, to have equal access to competitively bid for public construction project contracts.
"The public contract bidding process should be open and fair," said Schuette. "Encouraging robust competition and free enterprise will save taxpayer dollars."
"I sponsored Public Act 98 to help ensure a level playing field in the competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects," said Moolenaar, sponsor of the law. "Equal opportunity is a foundation of our economic system, and I thank Attorney General Schuette for standing up for Michigan taxpayers and workers by defending this common-sense law."
Schuette filed a notice of appeal on behalf of Governor Rick Snyder to appeal the February 29, 2012 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts striking down the law. Schuette will defend the law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and argue that it is not pre-empted by federal labor laws. Schuette will also file a motion seeking a stay of the order striking down the law while the appeal moves forward.
The Michigan Fair and Open Competition in Governmental Construction Act protects taxpayers by allowing all qualified contractors to bid on public contracts and not be otherwise prohibited from doing so under special bidding provisions requiring or prohibiting pre-hiring or project labor agreements (PLAs). Public contracts would include state, local government, school, college and university construction projects using state tax dollars.
Ten other states have similar public contracting laws or executive orders in place. Most recently, in September 2011, a legal challenge to Iowa's executive order banning project labor agreements in state-funded construction projects was upheld in federal court on the grounds that it did not violate the National Labor Relations Act.
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ABC of Michigan Hires Millbrook to Produce the Award Winning Michigan Merit Magazine
ABC of Michigan is excited to welcome a new partner to produce our award winning Michigan Merit Magazine. Millbrook Printing Company located in Grand Ledge, Michigan will begin working with ABC in producing the spring 2012 issue of the publication. Millbrook has over 40 years of experience developing, producing and distributing showcase-quality marketing and advertising materials for clients throughout the United States. Millbrook specializes in large-scale publication printing, advertising sales management, and fulfillment needs.
Millbrook is an award winning printing company employing outstanding staff and independent contractors. Helping ABC of Michigan with publication ad sales is Bill Spilman. Bill will help us grow both the magazine and our e-newsletter Merit Minute to continue advancing the professional quality of both these publications. Please welcome Bill when he calls your office to secure your ad in either Michigan Merit or Merit Minute (or both).
Your ad, in these publications, will reach the total statewide ABC of Michigan membership, several nonmembers and key decision-makers and policy makers throughout the state - now that's value!
This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of ABC of Michigan. In honor of that milestone a special 50th anniversary issue of the magazine is planned for this summer. Other issues this year will feature our Voters Guide, the Annual Labor Law Update and the upcoming spring issue will focus on changing our state's educational requirements to prepare our workforce for careers in construction. Ad sales are now underway for the spring issue as well as the entire year of Michigan Merit magazine. Contact Bill at (309) 483-6467 or by email at bill@innovativemediasolutions.com to reserve your space.
Advertising in Michigan Merit is the one-stop source for effectively marketing statewide to the merit shop construction industry in Michigan.
Thank you for your support of ABC of Michigan and the Merit Shop Construction industry.
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Interested in Being a Part of Something Important and Bigger than Yourself? Or, Learning Something New for Your Personal or Professional Development?
If you answered "YES!" to either of those questions, we have an opportunity for you.
ABC of Michigan, the organization that brought you lower business taxes, PLA repeal, access to more work opportunities, one-on-one meetings with your legislators and more (just in 2011!), is turning 50 years old this year (2012) and we are moving forward with new plans and direction from our recent strategic planning session.
This is an opportunity to work with people from across the state to enact initiatives to create important and lasting change for the Merit Shop Construction Industry in Michigan.
We want input from all three chapters as every area of our state is important and needs representation and a voice. We have two major committees that are driving these initiatives:
Business Development/Member Services -provides members valuable marketing and networking opportunities while positively promoting ABC of Michigan and our members to the general public to ensure the continued growth of member firms and the association. In addition it develops valuable programs and services to attract and retain ABC Members by meeting their business needs.
The meetings and committee work for the Business Development/Member Services Committee is done via teleconference and emails for the most part, thus minimizing time away from work and eliminating travel time.
Government Affairs - is charged with working to advance and defend the legislative and political priorities of the association, developing grassroots and PAC fundraising opportunities for the association and working to promote the Merit Shop in the Michigan regulatory system.
Please reply with your contact information or forward this to someone who you know would be interested in helping us make history.
Looking forward to working with you to make this the era of the merit shop!
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New MIOSHA Director Announced
Steve Arwood, LARA Deputy Director, announced that Martha Yoder will be returning to state service as the Director of the MIOSHA Program. Martha retired from state service in August 2011, after 36 years of service. She was Deputy Director for nine years.
Her previous MIOSHA experience includes Chief of the General Industry Safety Division, Supervisor and Program Developer in the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division, and Executive Assistant to the MIOSHA Director.
Her contributions helped make the MIOSHA Program a national leader in workplace safety and health. In particular, her leadership with the "Connecting MIOSHA to Industry" initiative has helped employers recognize that protecting workers is the right thing to do and positively impacts the bottom line.
Martha returned to serve the citizens of Michigan as MIOSHA Director, beginning March 1st.
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Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan is a statewide trade association, working in partnership with three local chapters, dedicated to providing Michigan with high-quality, affordable, safe and on-time construction. ABC of Michigan is an equal opportunity organization that opposes all discrimination in the construction industry including discrimination based on union affiliation. A leading construction industry voice with state government, ABC provides many member services including legislative advocacy, networking opportunities, member benefits, legal updates, business development and educational opportunities. |
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