03/20/2006
Quote of the week
"One has to wonder if the supporters behind the ballot initiative are intent on chasing every last job out of Michigan." -- NFIB/Michigan State Director Charlie Owens commenting on the minimum-wage ballot initiative led by labor unions and the Michigan Democratic party, with strong support from Gov. Jennifer Granholm. As a result of the pressure from the ballot drive, the Legislature passed SB 318 that would hike the minimum wage as the lesser of two evils.
Issues in play this week
- Single Business Tax
- Minimum-wage increase
- Regulatory reform
- Property rights – Local regulations
- Battle Creek Area Action Council
Monday
On Monday morning, Owens and other business leaders met with Senator Gerald Van Woerkom (Muskegon) to discuss elections and issues at the NFIB office in Lansing.
Owens also attended a Capitol Club meeting with Representative David Hildenbrand (Lowell).
Tuesday
Owens and Division Manager Mike Vincent participated in a 6:30 a.m. conference call with the Michigan NFIB sales force.
Owens will testify in front of the House Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform concerning a group of bills requiring more small-business consideration on rule development and implementation.
At 12 p.m., Owens and Grassroots Coordinator Amanda Fisher will host a roundtable for Congressman Mike Rogers (Brighton) at Dusty’s Cellar in Lansing. For details visit the link below, or to RSVP for the meeting, please contact Amanda Fisher at (517) 485-3409.
In the afternoon, Small-Business Lobbyist/Advocate Keith Carey will testify in support of House and Senate proposals to repeal the Single Business Tax in front of the Senate Finance Committee.
Wednesday
Carey and Owens will meet with Senator Wayne Kuipers (Holland) and other business groups to discuss issues.
Thursday
The Battle Creek Area Action Council will meet at 7 a.m. at Shrank’s cafeteria in Battle Creek. Special guest will be Senator Mark Schauer (Battle Creek). For details visit the link below, or to RSVP for the meeting, please contact Amanda Fisher at (517) 485-3409.
At 9 a.m., Owens will be testifying before the House Natural Resources Committee on a pair of bills that would require municipalities to produce an impact study on any rule, ordinance or regulation that might increase the cost of new home construction. The bills seek to protect private-property rights by providing a transparency to the efforts by some local governments to inhibit growth and affordable housing.
NFIB/Michigan will attend a hearing of the House Committee on Employment Relations, Training and Safety, during which representatives of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency will report state efforts to collect unemployment taxes avoided through SUTA dumping. SUTA dumping is the practice of wrongly manipulating one’s business structure to avoid paying one’s fair share of state unemployment taxes. Many businesses may act under advice from consultants or accountants, not understanding that the tactic may run afoul of state unemployment insurance laws.
Friday
At 12 p.m., Owens and Amanda Fisher will host a roundtable for Congressman Mike Rogers (Brighton) at the Brighton Bar & Grill in Brighton. For details visit the link below, or to RSVP for the meeting, please contact Amanda Fisher at (517) 485-3409.
NFIB/Michigan is:
- Charlie Owens, State Director
- Keith Carey, Small-Business Lobbyist/Advocate
- Amanda Fisher, Regional Member Activism Coordinator
- Andrea Conarton, Administrative Assistant
NFIB/Michigan Phone: (517) 485-3409
