We support the candidates who support small business
Michigan’s leading small business organization, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), today announced that its Michigan political action committee has endorsed incumbent legislators who are running for reelection in the 2020 State House races.
“The 2020 legislative session has seen one of the most challenging times for Michigan small business owners”, said Charlie Owens, NFIB’s Michigan State Director. “These candidates have earned our support based on their votes on key legislation that is supported by NFIB small business members”.
The endorsements come from the NFIB MI PAC, the association’s state political action committee, and are based on the incumbents’ 2019-2020 NFIB Voting Record. NFIB’s Voting Record grades incumbent candidates seeking reelection on the votes they cast on issues of concern to Michigan small Business. Those issues run the gamut from No-Fault auto insurance reform, to legislation that would rein in the governor’s abuse of emergency powers. Lawmakers must have a score of 70-percent or higher to be considered for reelection endorsement.
Small-business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members, and acquaintances to go to the polls. NFIB will encourage its members to help turn out the small-business vote for NFIB MI PAC-endorsed candidates this year in the Primary and General Elections.
Owens indicated that the 2019-2020 NFIB Voting Record would be posted to the NFIB website as well as mailed to the members in August.
Candidates endorsed by NFIB’s MI PAC:
House District 9: Karen Whitsett
House District 17: Joe Bellino
House District 24: Steve Marino
House District 30: Diana Farrington
House District 77: Tommy Brann
House District 78: Brad Paquette
House District 79: Pauline Wendzel
House District 80: Mary Whiteford
House District 32: Pamela Hornberger
House District 33: Jeffrey Yaroch
House District 36: Doug Wozniak
House District 39: Ryan Berryman
House District 42; Ann Bollin
House District 43: Andrea Schroeder
House District 44: Matt Maddock
House District 46: John Reilly
House District 51 Mike Mueller
House District 57: Bronna Kahle
House District 63: Matt Hall
House District 64: Julie Alexander
House District 65: Sarah Lightner
House District 66: Beth Griffin
House District 72: Steve Johnson
House District 74: Mark Huizenga
House District 81: Gary Eisen
House District 82: Gary Howell
House District 84: Phil Green
House District 85: Ben Fredrick
House District 86: Tom Albert
House District 87: Julie Calley
House District 88: Luke Meerman
House District 89: Jim Lilly
House District 90: Bradley Slagh
House District 91: Greg VanWoerkom
House District 93: Graham Filler
House District 94: Rodney Wakeman
House District 97: Jason Wentworth
House District 98: Annette Glenn
House District 99: Roger Hauck
House District 100: Scott VanSingel
House District 101: Jack O’Malley
House District 102: Michelle Hoitenga
House District 103 Daire Rendon
House District 106: Sue Allor
House District 108: Beau LaFave
House District 110: Greg Markkanen
Issues used in the NFIB Michigan 2019-2020 Voting Record:
Issues: 2020 Session
Roll call votes by your state legislators on small-business issues are listed below. While the Voting Record does not reflect all elements considered by a lawmaker when voting, it is a valuable guide to evaluating your legislator’s attitude toward small business. Please thank those lawmakers who supported small business.
- House Concurrent Resolution 1 of 2019 – Restore Oversight Boards: This resolution restores DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) oversight boards eliminated by the governor under Executive Order 2019-2. The boards included small business representation. A “YES” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the House 58-51. Passed the Senate 22-16. No approval by the governor is required.
- House Bill 4001 – Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform: This bill makes it more difficult for law enforcement to seize small business cash or personal property without due process. A “YES” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the House 107-3. Passed the Senate 37-1. Signed by the governor as Public Act 8 of 2019.
- Senate Bill 1 – No Fault Auto Insurance Reform: Makes reforms to Michigan’s unaffordable auto insurance requirements by eliminating mandatory unlimited medical benefits and giving consumers the freedom to choose levels of coverage. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 24-14. Passed the House 94-15. Signed by the governor as Public Act 21 of 2019.
- House Bill 4397 – No Fault Auto Insurance Reform: Companion bill to Senate Bill 1 that makes reforms to Michigan’s unaffordable No-Fault auto insurance requirements. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the House 61-49. Passed the Senate 33-4. Signed by the governor as Public Act 22 of 2019.
- Senate Bill 858 – Amend Emergency Powers of the Governor: Would restore the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches in Michigan as well as allow a process to begin safely re-opening Michigan’s economy after the COVID-19 shutdown. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 22-16. Passed the House 59-41. Vetoed by the governor on 5/4/2020.
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 of 2020 – Prohibit “Labor Peace Agreements”: Prohibits the inclusion of “labor peace agreements” in administrative rules that would mandate a labor union agreement as a condition of licensing or rule compliance. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 22-16. Passed the House with a voice vote that does not record how a member voted. No approval by the governor is required.
- Senate Bill 245 – State Agency Loser Pay: Requires a state agency to pay the legal costs of the prevailing party when that state agency loses a lawsuit involving a regulatory issue. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 23-15. At the time of this vote record, the bill awaits further action in the House.
- House Concurrent Resolution 17 of 2020 – Medicaid Work Requirements: Urges the US Health and Human Services Secretary to appeal a federal court ruling that invalidates Michigan legislation passed in 2018 that required able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work in order to receive benefits. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the House 56-51. At the time of this vote record, the resolution awaits further action in the Senate.
- House Bill 5709 –State of Emergency Penalties: Reduces the penalty for violating an Executive Order issued during a declared state of emergency from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction. A “YES” Vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the House 62-38. At the time of this vote record, the bill awaits further action in the Senate.
