Governor Snyder's State of the State Address Offers Creative Ideas for Reinventing Michigan

Governor Rick Snyder gave his first State of the State address on January 19th and we should all feel confident that the "Reinvention of Michigan" has begun.  It was refreshing to listen to Governor Snyder deliver a State of the State speech that was focused on most Michiganders' highest priority - more jobs! 

After eight years of lofty rhetoric, we finally heard a governor deliver a speech that was laser-focused on improving Michigan's economy.  Governor Snyder appropriately acknowledged the significant challenges we face, but more importantly, he set forth a framework for solutions. 

Most heartening was the Governor's statement:  "Government should support success, not pick winners and losers."  This single phrase should provide all employers with a great sense of hope that elected leaders will commit to the premise that economic growth and job creation is a function of risk-taking entrepreneurs in the marketplace and not the actions of bureaucrats in Lansing. 

The Chamber's entire Business Advocacy team is excited about the new attitude in Lansing and eager to partner with the Governor, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and House Speaker Jase Bolger to enact a legislative agenda that builds on Michigan's strengths and restores our economic vitality.  We are confident that in the weeks and months ahead the Michigan Chamber is well-positioned to lead the fight  to repeal and replace the MBT, protect our legal climate and advance a number of issues that will contribute to the revitalization of Michigan's economy.
 

State House and Michigan Senate Send Pro-Jobs Message: Repeal the MBT and MBT Surcharge Right Away!

Both the State House and Michigan Senate got off to a fast start by immediately introducing bills to repeal both the overly-complicated Michigan Business Tax (MBT) and the burdensome MBT surcharge. Under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Richardville (R-Monroe) and House Speaker Bolger (R-Marshall), both legislative caucuses have sent a clear message on day one: making Michigan's business climate more competitive is an absolute priority. The Michigan Business Tax has proven to be a disaster for thousands of job providers and the Michigan Chamber applauds the efforts to set a pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda for 2011.

Key Bills Introduced:

House Bill 4001 and Senate Bill 6 - to repeal the MBT Surcharge

House Bill 4047 and Senate Bill 1 - to repeal the MBT

Please contact Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform, if you have questions at (517) 371-7669 or tkinley@michamber.com.

2011 is the Year to Reform Michigan's Insolvent Unemployment Insurance System

Michigan businesses are expected to pay over $240 million in additional unemployment insurance (UI) taxes in 2011 to repay the over $3.7 billion the state borrowed from the federal government to pay jobless benefits during the most recent economic downturn. Left unchecked, reimbursements of these borrowed funds, plus interest, will automatically trigger progressive higher, across-the-board, state and federal UI tax increases on all employers for many years to come.

To address the current crisis, the Michigan Chamber Foundation has commissioned an independent, non-partisan, economic study of the state's UI tax and benefit system. This will allow us to develop a legislative plan to reform the UI system, eliminate the debt incurred and return the Trust Fund to solvency. Our goal is to use this public policy study to aggressively advocate for cost-saving reforms and other public policy changes in early 2011. Ultimately, because UI taxes add to the cost of business, and vary from state to state, strong and bold policy choices today can make Michigan more competitive in the future.

Please contact Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy & Human Resources, if you have any questions at (517) 371-7678 or wblock@michamber.com. 

Michigan Chamber Again Voted Best Lobbying Organization

The Michigan Chamber has again been voted the state's most effective lobbying organization, outranking every other business organization, trade association, labor union or environmental group with a presence in Lansing, according to a new survey by Inside Michigan Politics. The results continue a 23-year track record of recognition for the Michigan Chamber. The Chamber has ranked as the top business lobbying organization in every Inside Michigan Politics survey to date (in 1987, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2011).

Separate surveys by Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS) echo the Inside Michigan Politics' findings. MIRS ranked the Michigan Chamber as the top business lobbying organization in each of its three polls of Lansing insiders (in 2004, 2007 and 2009).
    

The key to this on-going success is being member-driven and policy-focused with great volunteers and a dedicated, hardworking staff. 

Your Feedback Needed on Proposed Rule From National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) 

The Michigan Chamber would like your feedback on a proposed rule from the NLRB that would require ALL private-sector employers under their jurisdiction to post a notice to employees of their rights to unionize under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The proposed rule would mandate a physical posting of the the rule AND electronic posting if employers customarily communicate with employees through electronic communications. The NLRB's proposed rule would also establish new "unfair labor practice" liabilities on employers if they fail to comply with the proposed posting requirements.

The NLRB's rule provides for a 60-day comment period, which ends on February 18, 2011. We are continuing to analyze the proposed rule and are seeking member input on the impact this rule would have on your workplace. Please take some time to review the proposed rule and let us know what you think. You may also submit your comments directly to the National Labor Relations Board at www.regulations.gov. Using the feedback we receive, we will make a final determination regarding whether we will submit official comments to the NLRB.

If you wish to provide feedback, please contact Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy & Human Resources, no later than Friday, February 4. Feel free to contact her with any questions at (517) 371-7678 or wblock@michamber.com.