Michigan House Passes Historic Tax Package - We Need Your Voice to Get it Through the State Senate! 

Last week, under the Leadership of Speaker Jase Bolger, the Michigan House passed legislation put forward by Governor Snyder, Speaker Bolger, and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville to replace the jobs-killing Michigan Business Tax and reform Michigan's Individual Income Tax. Replacing the ill-fated MBT is a key legislative priority for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. We encourage Michigan Chamber members to contact your State Representative if they voted Yes (see Roll Call here) and thank them for voting in favor of tax reform!

The Michigan Senate will begin committee hearings on the package of bills this week. But we need your help to get this legislation through the Senate! Please consider contacting your State Senator and ask them to keep their campaign promise and support the tax reform package (which includes HB 4361 and 4362) to replace the Michigan Business Tax.  In addition, the Michigan Chamber has posted a Sample Letter to the Editor for any Chamber member who is willing to send letters to their local newspaper - we need your voice to be heard!

Chamber Identifies $550 Million in Reforms to Michigan's Bankrupt Unemployment Insurance System

Last week before legislative committees in the Michigan House and Senate, the Michigan Chamber Foundation released a major nonpartisan, economic study identifying up to $550 million in cost-saving reforms to Michigan's employer-financed unemployment insurance system (UI).

The study identifies strong and bold policy options to make Michigan more competitive and offset the need for additional employer taxes to pay down the nearly $4 billion Michigan owes to the federal government for its employer-financed UI system.

Given the size and scope of the debt, Michigan can no longer continue to kick the can down the road. The Michigan Chamber will be working proactively with the Legislature in the coming weeks and months to implement the recommended reforms.  

Please visit our Briefing Center to learn more about this important issue area. If you have any questions, you may contact Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources, at 517/371-7678 or wblock@michamber.com.