05/12/2008
This week in Lansing
Legislature
Michigan House and Senate
The Michigan House and Senate are in session this week.
IssuesHealth insurance
On Wednesday, Senate Health Policy Committee will begin hearings on mental health parity legislation that would require health plans sold in Michigan to cover mental illness on the same basis as physical conditions. Currently, many policies restrict mental health coverage to a lesser amount. Small businesses and those with individual policies are forced to comply with mandated benefits while large self-insured businesses are exempt by virtue of federal ERISA guidelines. With mandates, employers may be forced to cease providing all health benefits due to the high cost of premiums as a result of mandated benefits. NFIB will oppose the bills.
The work group on the Blue Cross individual market bills continues to meet and work toward sending a recommendation to a House Senate conference committee.
Taxes
On Wednesday, House Tax Policy will hear bills that would help builders and contractors by removing materials and supplies purchased in construction from their MBT gross receipts. NFIB will support the bills.
Senate Republicans are holding four statewide hearings around the state to gather input from taxpayers on the impact of the new Michigan Business Tax. The first hearing was held in Grand Rapids on Thursday of last week. Here are the dates and locations for the others:
- May 15: 3 p.m. Oakland University Rochester
- May 16: 1:30 p.m. Saginaw Valley State Saginaw
- May 19: 11 a.m. University Center Gaylord
Fallout from the MBT and the associated surcharge continue to be reported in the media and in angry constituent calls to lawmakers. Lawmakers are beginning to learn what they were warned about during hearings and debate last year – concerning the tax being skewed to help a few large corporations at the expense of the vast majority of Michigan businesses. NFIB will continue to work on corrections to the MBT to help small business.
A ballot proposal that would require a two-thirds majority of both chambers before any tax could be increased or a new tax created will not be pursued until 2010 NFIB learned last week. NFIB had been working with other interested groups in forming a coalition to put such a proposal on the ballot in 2008, but a number of potential financial backers backed out and decided to try for 2010.
Regulations
Last week the Republican controlled Senate passed HB 4163 that would prohibit smoking in public places, in places of employment, and in food service establishments (such as restaurants, cafeterias, and bars). The bill is expected to see further action in the House this week.
Part-time legislature
NFIB continues to collect signatures for a ballot proposal to move Michigan to a part-time legislature. Turn Michigan Around is a ballot initiative committee supported by NFIB, the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo and a grassroots network of citizens represented by the ballot initiative committee Reform Michigan Government out of Clarkston, Mich.
NFIB 2008 agenda
The NFIB Small Business Agenda is available for review. Remember that this is really your agenda as we at NFIB respond to your priorities and concerns via your votes on member ballots and surveys.
PoliticsSupreme Court elections
NFIB is conducting a fax poll of members this week to determine NFIB's involvement in the Supreme Court elections. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Clifford Taylor is up for reelection in the fall and future control of the Supreme Court will be determined by the outcome.
Candidates
On Thursday, NFIB will meet with Jim Stamas (Midland area).
NFIB members2008 National Small-Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
Join other small business owners from around the country at the 2008 National Small-Business Summit in Washington, D.C., June 8-10.
For more information, please visit www.NFIB.com/summit.
NFIB/Michigan is:
- Charlie Owens, State Director
- Amanda Radaz, Assistant State Director
- John Ogden, Division Manager
- Andrea Conarton, Administrative Assistant
NFIB Phone: 517-485-3409
