08/28/2006
Quote of the week
"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." -- NFIB/Michigan State Director Charlie Owens commenting on member support for the "SOS" (Stop Over Spending) ballot proposal.
Issues in play this week
- Minimum wage and overtime issue
- Gubernatorial debates set
- NFIB members set position on three ballot proposals
Legislature set to try another run at fixing minimum wage overtime problem
On Wednesday of this week, the state Senate will be taking another vote on Immediate Effect on HB 6213, legislation to fix the overtime issue. It is likely that the House will follow suit. If so, then the governor will have to sign the bill to avoid a situation that would directly impact approximately 370,000 Michigan employees. Unless something is done, drastic changes are in store for effected employees in the coming months because of legislation passed in March to increase the state's minimum wage. When lawmakers pushed the bill through earlier this year, they did not change a provision in Michigan's minimum wage law that states that so long as the state's minimum wage is equal to or lower than the federal wage, then the exemptions hold, but whenever Michigan's minimum wage is higher, as will occur beginning on Oct. 1, then the exemptions are eliminated.
Gubernatorial debate dates set
Gubernatorial candidates Dick DeVos and Jennifer Granholm have agreed to debate dates. They would be held at the following stations and broadcast statewide:
- WKAR-TV in East Lansing on Oct. 2, 2006
- WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids on Oct. 10, 2006
- WXYZ-TV in Detroit on Oct. 16, 2006
The debate at WKAR-TV will be simulcast on Michigan Public Television stations and Fox Television affiliates in Michigan.
NFIB members set position on three ballot proposals
This November's election ballot could see a record number of ballot initiatives on everything from dove hunting to affirmative action. However, three ballot proposals should be of particular concern to Michigan's small-business voters. NFIB has surveyed members on these issues to determine the small-business position and the results are provided below. At the time of this writing, ballot proposal numbers have not been assigned, so proposals will be referenced by their committee names or by the issue they are intended to address.
Private Property Rights - Ending Eminent Domain Abuse: If approved by the voters, this proposal would amend the state constitution to make it clear that the term "public use" does not include the taking of private property for transfer to another private entity for the purpose of economic development or enhancement of local tax revenues. NFIB members surveyed SUPPORT this ballot proposal.
Stop Overspending (SOS) Spending Limitation: If approved by the voters, this proposal would place a restrictive spending formula into the state constitution. The proposed constitutional change is patterned after Colorado's "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" or "TABOR" initiative. NFIB members surveyed SUPPORT this ballot proposal.
K-16 Automatic Funding for Schools: If approved by the voters, this proposal would constitutionally guarantee future funding increases in the State budget for K-12 school districts, community colleges, and universities. NFIB members surveyed OPPOSE this ballot proposal.
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
