08/10/2006
CONTACT: Charlie Owens, (517) 485-3409
LANSING, Mich.—The results of a recent survey are in, and it's clear that National Federation of Independent Business/Michigan members are in support of a ballot initiative to place constitutional spending limits on state and local government. Supporters of the "Stop Overspending (SOS)" ballot initiative have submitted signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office in support of placing a restrictive spending formula into the state constitution.
In a survey conducted during the week of Aug. 2, 78 percent of NFIB/Michigan small-business members responded in support of the proposal. Of those who responded, 14 percent opposed the measure and 8 percent were undecided. In addition to the survey question, background information and a pro-con argument were presented. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Actual survey wording is available at www.nfib.com/object/MImemberInput).
"What our members are telling us is that, based on past performance, elected officials of all parties are incapable of spending discipline and that the only way to limit government spending is to take it out of their hands and lock it into the constitution," said NFIB/Michigan State Director Charlie Owens. "I think small-business owners sense a direct link between our state and local governments' tendency to tax and spend at a higher level than most other states, and the fact that businesses are fleeing Michigan for better economic climates."
At the time of this press release it is still uncertain if the issue will appear on the November ballot as petition signatures associated with the proposal have not been certified by state election officials. However, petition-drive organizers have submitted over 500,000 signatures against a required number of 318,000 making it likely that the proposal will be on the ballot.
