10/02/2006
Quote of the week
"The right to own property free from unwarranted encumbrance and threat of seizure by the government is one of the basic tenets of our American free-enterprise system, and therefore it is fitting and appropriate that our state constitution be the venue for strengthening that right." -- NFIB/Michigan State Director Charlie Owens commenting on support for Proposal 4 during editorial board visits to the Kalamazoo Gazette, Grand Rapids Press and Ann Arbor News. Proposal 4, on the November ballot, would end eminent-domain abuse by local governments.
Issues in play this week
- Legislature in Recess
- Single Business Tax Plans Abound
- AAC Meetings in Flint and Port Huron Area
- Legislature in Recess
- The Legislature has recessed until after the November elections.
- Single Business Tax Plans Abound
To date, there have been four proposals put forth to replace the Single Business Tax which will be repealed effective Dec. 21, 2007. The Grand Rapids chamber, the Detroit chamber and the state chamber have all presented outlines for a new business tax. In addition, tax policy chair Rep. Fulton Sheen has proposed a plan as well.
NFIB is evaluating all of the plans and members will be surveyed on the plans and other proposals that have been put forward. When the results of the surveys are examined, NFIB will either support one of the proposals or put forth our own plan based on the feedback. Some are pushing for the issue of a replacement tax to be done during the upcoming lame-duck session, which is the period after the November elections but before the new Legislature takes office in January 2007.
In our view, this is not an appropriate environment for conducting such far-reaching and important public policy. To pass legislation that impacts our overall business climate and ability to grow and attract jobs demands thoughtful deliberation that is difficult to foster in the politically charged environment of a lame-duck session.
On Monday, Owens will attend Capitol Club to meet with state Rep. Scott Hummel, chair of House Appropriations. Amanda Fisher and Owens will be meeting with Region State Public Policy Director Dave Brasher in the state office.
On Tuesday morning, Owens will participate on a conference call with the field sales force. Also on that morning, Owens, Fisher and Brasher will attend the Genesee Area Action Council meeting near Flint (see meeting details below). Tuesday at 12 p.m., they will attend the Port Huron Area Action Council in Port Huron (see meeting details below).
NFIB/Michigan Area Action Council meetings coming up
- Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7:30-9 a.m. Genesee Area Action Council, Flint
- Tuesday, Oct. 3, 12-1:30 p.m. St. Clair Area Action Council, Port Huron
NFIB/Michigan is:
- Charlie Owens, State Director
- Amanda Fisher, Assistant State Director/Grassroots Coordinator
- Diane Lazette, Division Manager, Sales
- Andrea Conarton, Administrative Assistant
NFIB/Michigan Phone: (517) 485-3409
