09/11/2006
Quote of the week
"The concept is sound; the execution was flawed." -- NFIB/Michigan State Director Charlie Owens commenting on the decision by the state Board of Canvassers to reject the petition signatures for the SOS (Stop Over Spending) ballot proposal.
Issues in play this week
- SOS proposal is off the ballot
- Minimum wage changes await governor's signature
- Private property rights
- K-16 school funding ballot proposal
SOS Proposal is off the ballot
Last week, the State Board of Canvassers voted 4-0 to reject the petition signatures for the SOS (Stop Over Spending) ballot proposal. As a result, the proposal will not be certified for the November ballot. SOS supporters have filed an emergency appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Board's decision; however, past court decisions concerning the Board of Canvassers actions on ballot initiatives do not favor a reversal. It is likely the issue will come up again for a future statewide petition drive and ballot proposal.
Minimum wage changes await governor's signature
The state House voted Sept. 5 on final passage of legislation to reinstate certain overtime exemptions and to create a lower minimum wage for younger workers. The legislation also included an earned income tax credit for low-income workers. The governor has indicated that she will sign the legislation.
Private property rights
On Wednesday, Charlie Owens will visit newspaper editorial boards in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to discuss support for the November ballot initiative to end private property rights abuse by local governments using eminent domain.
K-16 school funding ballot proposal
Last week Owens attended a meeting of the coalition to stop a ballot proposal that would guarantee automatic funding for schools. Both the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association are expected to dump millions of dollars into the effort to pass the proposal. Analysis indicates that most of the new money would end up funding teacher retirement and very little would end up in the classroom.
This week
On Tuesday at 6:30 a.m., Owens will meet with all Michigan Field Reps via conference call to discuss issues and member concerns.
On Wednesday, NFIB/Michigan staff will attend an early morning meeting of Lansing lobbyists to discuss the upcoming gubernatorial election.
On Wednesday, Owens will visit newspaper editorial boards in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to discuss support for the November ballot initiative to end private property rights abuse by local governments using eminent domain.
On Thursday, NFIB/Michigan staff will be conducting an orientation for a new field staff hire and attending an evening meeting in Grand Rapids with NFIB Leadership Council Chair Nevin Groce and other NFIB members and state representatives.
NFIB/Michigan is:
- Charlie Owens, State Director
- Keith Carey, Small-Business Lobbyist/Advocate
- Amanda Fisher, Regional Member Activism Coordinator
- Diane Lazette, Division Manager, Sales
- Andrea Conarton, Administrative Assistant
NFIB/Michigan Phone: (517) 485-3409
