Capitol  Report - November 2, 2011

Workers' Compensation Legislation Approved in House Committee 

 

Good news! The House Commerce Committee moved House Bill 5002 out of committee last week, putting enactment of much needed systemic reforms one step closer to implementation. The committee-approved legislation is a fair compromise bill, balancing the needs of injured workers and employers who finance the system. 

 
The bill approved by the House Commerce Committee goes a long way to address the concerns raised by various interest groups. While the goal always is going to be to return injured workers to the workplace when they are able, the bill specifies that a reduction in wages will only occur if a worker deliberately elects not to actively seek work or refuses jobs that are reasonably available. Arguments from opponents, like personal injury attorneys and labor unions, that the bill will result in an arbitrary reduction of an injured worker's weekly benefits for his or her 'theoretical' ability to work are, quite simply, false, misleading and not grounded in reality. 

 
The Michigan Chamber will remain aggressively involved in this issue as it moves to the full House for consideration, urging lawmakers to support this important legislation which updates, reforms and modernizes key areas of the Workers' Compensation Law.

For further information, visit the Michigan Chamber Briefing Center, or contact Wendy Block at 517/371-7678 or wblock@michamber.com. 

 

 

Michigan Chamber Applauds Gov. Snyder's Call to Action on Transportation & Infrastructure

 

Last week, Governor Snyder unveiled a comprehensive plan for infrastructure improvement with particular emphasis on Michigan's transportation system. As part of his Special Message on Reinventing Michigan's Infrastructure, Governor Snyder unveiled various ideas for increased investment, including repeal of Michigan's gas and diesel taxes to be replaced with a wholesale-level fuel tax, consolidation and streamlining of local road services, changes to the state's road funding distribution formula, and a potential increase in registration fees. The Michigan Chamber applauds the Governor's call to action on this important business climate issue.

 

The quality and cost of Michigan's transportation system has a major impact on our state's ability to increase economic activity and grow jobs. The Michigan Chamber has been a strong advocate for increased funding to fix our aging roads and bridges. Encouraging transportation investment is a top legislative priority for the Michigan Chamber this session. 

 

Michigan Chamber staff will be reviewing each of the ideas presented by Gov. Snyder in his special message and will continue to take an active role in upcoming transportation discussions.

 

For more information on Gov. Snyder's special message, please don't hesitate to contact Rich Studley or Jim Holcomb at 517/371-2100. 

 

 

House Moving Senate Regulatory Reform Bills 

 

The House Regulatory Reform Committee today will hold a hearing on a package of important regulatory reform bills, Senate Bills 271-279, approved by the Senate last spring. The legislation places limits on state government power, forces state departments to better explain actions taken, and creates a review process for best practices and rule making.

 

One of the most noteworthy bills in the package is SB 272, which prevents state agencies from promulgating rules more stringent than the federal government. This bill is a big step in the right direction for improving Michigan's regulatory environment.

 

For more information, please contact Jason Geer at 517/371-7673 or jgeer@michamber.com.