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VIEWPOINT


May 2015

On May 5: Let's Fix the Roads!

  

Tomorrow is Election Day, and we all have an opportunity to start fixing Michigan's crumbling road system.

 

Just two weeks ago, a national transportation research group released  its report on our roads.  No surprise, it detailed the rapidly deteriorating condition of Michigan's roads and the need for significantly more funding in order to repair them.

 

According to the report, 38% of Michigan's major roads are in poor condition (up from 23% in 2006), 45% are in fair condition, and only 17% are in good condition. Is that what we want for our families and businesses?

 

Proposal 1 would raise $1.2 billion a year for Michigan's roads by making sure that what we pay at the pump goes to our transportation needs. We'll finally see our crumbling pavement restored and bridges repaired. If Proposal 1 fails, we'll continue to shortchange our state transportation system by relying on unsustainable one-time fixes and risking our safety and future economic competitiveness.

 

Consider this: Not only do Michigan drivers pay on average $539 each year to fix their rims, tires and struts, but we also pay every time a prospective new job provider decides against locating here because of our poor roads. If Michigan is going to remain prosperous, we have to make it easier for businesses to get their products and services to market.

 

We need to get serious about making some guarantees to the people of our state. With Proposal 1:

  • Every penny paid at the pump in state gas taxes is constitutionally guaranteed to fund transportation.
  • Road builders would have to provide warranties on the roads they build so taxpayers are not forced to pay for improper repairs.
  • Every penny in the School Aid Fund is constitutionally guaranteed for K�-12 schools and community colleges.

Recent news about Proposal 1:

MLive: Vote Yes on Proposal 1 for Better Michigan Roads, Schools and Cities

Detroit Free Press: For Safety's Sake, Vote Yes on Proposal 1

Detroit News:  Vote Yes on Prop 1

Lansing State Journal: Passing Proposal 1 is Best for Michigan

 

BLM supports Proposal 1:  Proposal 1 is right for our state. The state can't simply siphon current funding from education, health care, public safety, local communities and other critical services to pay for roads. It's time to invest properly in our roads and bridges, keep our state competitive and make safety a priority.


Learn more about the facts of Proposal 1 from the Safe Roads Yes! Coalition. The election is on Tuesday and polls are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

OUR WORK 


In Short-And Long-Term, Job Leaders Continue To Be More Optimistic About MI Economy than U.S. Economy

 

Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state's business roundtable, projects that the Michigan economy will continue to grow and outperform the U.S. economy in the next 6 to 18 months. Read more. . .

BLM EVENTS


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Thursday, November 12, 2015
Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Cost to attend $125

 ADVANCING THE MICHIGAN TURNAROUND PLAN & THE NEW MICHIGAN STRATEGY



The Michigan Turnaround Plan reflects the significant progress that has been made in making Michigan more competitive.  It identifies areas where we can compete, invest and grow in order to make our state stronger for generations to come.

 

Grow: Center for Innovation


Our view: Michigan should be known as a hub of innovation with venture capital available at the levels of Top Ten states.

VC investment in MI reaches highest level in 15 years for 1Q

MiBiz | April 26, 2015

 

Venture capital investing in Michigan got off to a strong start in 2014, as the amount invested in the first quarter reached the highest value in 15 years. Twelve companies across the state collectively received $75.3 million in venture capital investments from January to March, according to the MoneyTree report from the National Venture Capital Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers using data from Thomson Reuters. Read more. . .

Grow: New Michigan - Life Sciences Hub


Our view:  Michigan must cultivate its strongest assets to ensure lasting prosperity and position itself as a welcoming place for all. From our core cities to our abundant human, technological, and natural resources, we can make the most of what we do best to grow a brighter future for our state.

Statewide collaborative plan makes sense for bioscience industry

GRBJ.com | April 3, 2015

 

At long last the Michigan bioscience industry trade association, MichBio, is focused on development of a collaborative statewide strategic plan, and the Ann Arbor-based group is doing so in partnership with Business Leaders for Michigan and the University Research Corridor. That focus and the plan that results will undoubtedly impact West Michigan's numerous contributors as well as assist the fledgling medical device industry.  Read more. . .

DATA SUPPORTING THE TURNAROUND PLAN


Michigan Unemployment: 5.6%

 

Michigan's unemployment rate dropped to 5.6% in March - only 0.1% above the national average and nearly one-half the rate at the peak of the recession.  The downside of the story is that the unemployment drop was largely due to more people leaving the workforce.  Read more. . .

 

Michigan Ranked 9th Best Corporate Tax Climate

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The Tax Foundation reports that there are only seven states having lower corporate income tax rates than Michigan of those that have such a tax.  Michigan was ranked as having the 9th overall best corporate tax climate as a result.  Read more. . . 

 

MI: #11 Lowest Personal Income Tax Rate

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Michigan has the 11th lowest personal income tax rate in the nation at a flat 4.25% according to the Tax Foundation.  Read more. . . 
 

MI: #37 Combined State & Local Sales Tax Rate

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The Tax Foundation reports that the state's sales tax rate, when including locally-assessed sales taxes, ranks as the 37th lowest in the nation and lower than all surrounding states except Wisconsin.  The data shows raising the sales tax by 1% to fix the roads will not make Michigan uncompetitive.  Read more. . . 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS


GM's $5.4B investment includes upgrades to 3 Michigan plants

Detroit Free Press | April 29, 2015

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GM will invest $783.5M in Lansing, Pontiac, Warren plants. The largest portion, $520 million, will go for new tooling and equipment at the Delta Township assembly plant near Lansing, where workers produce the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.  Read more. . .

Michigan State, U-M and Wayne State have $16.8 billion impact on Michigan's economy, study says

MLive.com | April 29, 2015

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Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University drive

 $16.8 billion to the state's economy, according to a report released by the Anderson Economic Group. "With a more than 50 percent increase in these areas in just eight years, URC universities are becoming a force to be reckoned with in developing new technologies and innovations," said URC Executive Director Jeff Mason.  

Read more. . .

Consumers Energy celebrates $1 billion of 'home state' spending

MLive.com | April 16, 2015

 

Consumers Energy and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. celebrated more than $1 billion worth of investment by the utility at a supplier's summit at Grand Valley State University's L.V. Eberhard Center on Thursday, April 16. Consumers Energy executives got a start on the next $1 billion in spending as they huddled with suppliers after handing out a series of awards to companies that fulfilled their 5-year pledge to spend $1 billion in four years.

 Read more. . .

IN THE NEWS. . .


Detroit Is Beckoning to Tech Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur | April 20, 2015

 

For the tech entrepreneur, in particular, there are quite a few advantages that can make starting up a company in Detroit easier than other tech hot spots. These advantages go beyond just the low cost of rent in the city. These strategic advantages can help you get up and running faster. We all know the sooner your company is started, the sooner your company can grow.  Read more. . .

Detroit in the driver's seat for auto-tech mashup

Crain's Detroit Business | April 19, 2015

 

During the depths of Detroit's bankruptcy crisis, the most optimistic supporters of the Motor City clung to the prospect that Detroit had nowhere to go but up - and to the surprise of many, it did. In fact, Detroit has soared to become not just a resurgent center of automotive design and production but also one of the nation's hottest spots for technology. Read more. . .

Help Wanted: West Michigan employers grapple with shrinking labor pool, skills gap

MiBiz | April 12, 2015

 

Put a group of local executives together to talk about their hiring needs and it probably won't be long before the phrases start to fly. "Talent gap." "Skills gap." "Talent drought." While the words they use may vary, local employers are nearly universal in calling it a "problem" that could stall West Michigan's economic growth.  Read more. . .

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Business Leaders for Michigan 
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E-Mail:  [email protected]

About Us

 

Business Leaders for Michigan, the state's business roundtable, is dedicated to making Michigan a "Top Ten" state for jobs, personal income and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the chairpersons, chief executive officers, or most senior executives of Michigan's largest companies and universities.  Our members drive 32% of the state's economy, provide nearly 375,000 direct in Michigan, generate over $1 Trillion in annual revenue and serve nearly one half of all Michigan public university students. Find out more at:www.businessleadersformichigan.com

Paid for with Regulated Funds by Business Leaders for Michigan PAC II, 600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1760, Detroit, MI 48243