NFIB members told lawmakers on the House Banking Committee that small manufacturers are being given the cold shoulder when it comes to finding available financing to expand and create jobs.
A letter signed by more than 2,000 Michigan business owners and business organizations demanding spending reform was hand delivered to Michigan lawmakers this week. The letter was put together by NFIB and business organizations representing a vast cross section of Michigan job providers.
NFIB and other business leaders are on high alert for moves to increase revenue with tax hikes. As reported previously, NFIB is aware that the governor is engaged in discussions around a services tax proposal. Click HERE for news video on this story.
NFIB Michigan member Ralph Beebe, President of Highland Engineering, Inc. located in Howell, was on Breitbart TV to talk about his discussion on taxes with President Barack Obama at a recent White House meeting.
The 2010 budget was finally put to rest late on Friday of last week as the governor signed the last of six remaining budgets. However, the governor and other lawmakers continue to call for more revenue in the form of tax hikes as a follow-up to the budget passage.
Last week NFIB testified in judiciary committee against HB 4915, a bill that would open up a floodgate of frivolous class action suits at the state level against many small businesses and professions. Not surprisingly, the bill is strongly supported by the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association.
With unemployment at a 26-year high and small business owners struggling to simply keep their doors open, this kind of reform is not what we need to encourage small businesses to thrive.
As NFIB and other business groups continue to fight for a balanced budget without tax increases, the governor is trying to line up support for a new services tax proposal.
With six remaining budgets to be signed by the governor for the 2010 fiscal year, many are concerned the governor will use the same tactic she used on the school aid budget to line item more cuts and then declare that only more revenue will solve the problem.
Attempts by Senate and House leadership to pass a 2010 budget balanced with spending cuts rather than tax increases is in jeopardy. Members are urged to contact their lawmakers NOW and demand a balanced budget without tax hikes on small business!
Charlie Owens, NFIB/Michigan State Director, joined with a broad coalition of Michigan business groups to urge the state House to support tax surcharge repeal efforts and to insist that no new taxes be levied to resolve the state's budget woes.
NFIB, working with other business groups and Senate Republicans, has crafted an agreement that would begin a phase out of the 22 percent surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax over the next three years and index the Alternative Profits Tax owner income threshold of $180,000 to the Consumer Price Index.
Passage early in the morning of October 1st of a 31-day continuation budget at reduced spending levels represents a short-term victory for NFIB and other business groups that have been fighting for a balanced budget without increased taxes. But the threat of business tax hikes is still very real as the budget fight moves to the next round.
On September 22, 2009 the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Detroit's "Living Wage" Ordinance is invalid. In doing so the language of the Court decision appears to reference all local wage ordinances and not just local living wage laws.
Small business may yet dodge a tax hike with Republicans in the State Senate and Democrats in the State House reaching agreement on a fiscal year 2010 budget proposal that includes no tax increases on small business.
As a result of NFIB's efforts, Public Act 1 passed early this year and waived $67.50 per employee in Unemployment Insurance (UI) penalty taxes on Michigan employers. Next year is another matter, however, with $63 million in new UI taxes on tap for 2010.
A plan to save the state almost one billion dollars by combining all public employee health plans into one pool has evolved from an idea to a proposal with the release of draft legislation. The plan is the brainchild of House Speaker Andy Dillon and has already been met with harsh criticism by labor unions and the governor.
NFIB head says president can choose to stand with small businesses who need healthcare reform.
Michigan small business owners rallied against a job killing "Cap and Trade" bill recently passed by the U.S. House at the "Michigan Rally for Jobs and Affordable Energy" that was held Thursday, September 3rd in Livonia. Special guest speakers included Frank Beckmann from WJR radio and NFIB State Director Charlie Owens.
NFIB was joined by other business organizations in Michigan today calling on the governor and state lawmakers to significantly and structurally reform state government prior to the beginning of the October 1 fiscal year.
As the legislature and the governor continue to haggle over the budget, on Friday of last week the Office of State Employer gave state employee unions the contractually required 30-day notice that if a budget agreement is not reached by Oct. 1, state employees will be laid off.
A plan to save the state almost one billion dollars by combining all public employee health plans into one pool has evolved from an idea to a proposal with the release of draft legislation to establish a board that would oversee the process.
As Michigan continues to struggle with state budget deficits amidst a serious economic downturn, it is clear that, in addition to budget cuts, restructuring of the state's tax system should be examined in order to make Michigan more competitive.
Sources have indicated that Gov. Granholm has proposed $685 million in new revenue to balance Michigan's budget. That number includes some cuts and some new and increased taxes.
While the governor seeks new and increased taxes to balance the budget, Hollywood movie producers were given tax credits of up to $110 million last year under a ridiculous giveaway program passed by the legislature in 2008.
While House Speaker Andy Dillon deserves credit for standing up to teacher unions by suggesting that the sacred cow of teacher health care benefits be examined, NFIB is concerned that the opportunity for serious budget cutting in the area of state employee benefits could be slipping away.
Michigan Democrat Party Chair Mark Brewer announced that Democrats are considering possible ballot proposals in 2010 that would include a $10-an-hour minimum wage, mandated employer-offered healthcare, and increased unemployment insurance benefits.
In a re-run of past attempts at revenue enhancement, the governor is calling for elimination, or cuts, to certain tax loopholes and raising some fees in an effort to raise an additional $500 million to $1 billion.
Negotiations to address a growing deficit in the 2009-2010 budget continue as both the House and Senate return to session this week.
In a re-run of past attempts at revenue enhancement, the governor is calling for elimination, or cuts, to certain “tax loopholes” and raising some fees in an effort to raise an additional $500 million to $1 billion.
Negotiations to address a growing deficit in the 2009-2010 budget continue as both the House and Senate return to session this week. The latest numbers show a $1.8 billion shortfall in the general fund budget and $1 billion in the school aid fund budget.
As we head into the lazy days of summer, all of the makings of another last minute, middle of the night, budget fiasco like the one in 2007 seem to be moving into position.
As part of the federal stimulus legislation passed by Washington D.C., Michigan is entitled to $139 million dollars in one-time federal money to be used for unemployment insurance purposes - however, there are strings attached. The cost of the proposed changes to our UI law will result in a permanent $69.7 million annual UI payroll tax increase on employers. We need your help in order to stop another tax increase from taking place!
Over 1,000 Michigan job providers signed a letter to the state Senate urging defeat of a legislative package that would increase the cost of creating jobs in Michigan.
As we head into the lazy days of summer, all of the makings of another last minute, middle of the night, budget fiasco like the one in 2007 seem to be moving into position. Before the two week legislative recess that began with the July fourth holiday, the Republican led Michigan Senate had teed up almost $1.3 billion in hard budget cuts for the 2010 budget in anticipation of a projected $1.7 billion (and widening as tax revenues deteriorate) budget fall off in 2011.
We continue to participate in meetings with other business groups to discuss proposals to improve Michigan’s business tax structure. In the meantime, the fiscal year 2010 budget is estimated to be $1.7 billion in the hole, with no consensus on how to fix it.
We are participating in a workgroup with other business interests to discuss proposals being considered to put before voters on a statewide ballot in November of this year. We're pushing for a constitutional spending limitation amendment to be a part of any ballot measure that changes Michigan’s tax structure.
Join State Director Charlie Owens as he shares inside information on Michigan's economic climate, potential new tax plans and possible tax hikes. Also hear an update and analysis of healthcare plans being introduced at both the state and federal level. Check the weekly update for an event coming to your area later this month.
“We were hopeful that GM could avoid bankruptcy court,” said NFIB state director Charlie Owens. “But if they must, we urge them to do so in Michigan where so many of the stakeholders are located.”
Proposals are being prepared behind the scenes that would give state voters a shot at changing Michigan’s tax structure. Reports indicate that various proposals will be presented to the legislature on June 11. If lawmakers can agree on a proposal, they would have until September to approve a package for a statewide ballot by voters in November of this year.
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