Making sure federal tax reforms flow through to Michigan taxpayers a top priority
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charlie Owens, Michigan State Director, [email protected] Follow Charlie on Twitter @OwensNFIB
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2018—Michigan’s leading advocate for small business, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), today announced its top priorities for the remainder of the 2017-2018 legislative session.
“After being a national laughingstock eight years ago, Michigan is back on track and is now a great state to bring a business, grow a business, or start a business,” said Charlie Owens, NFIB Michigan state director. “While 2017 continued this progress with the passage of government pension reforms and restrictions on local efforts to tax soft drinks, there are still items on the checklist for the remainder of this session that must be addressed if we are to continue on the path to prosperity and opportunity for small business and our citizens.”
The organization’s Main Street Agenda for 2018 includes action on a number of those challenges, such as making sure that tax relief from the recent federal tax reforms flows through to Michigan taxpayers. “Changes must be made to the state tax code to avoid increases due to the elimination of the personal exemption,” said Owens. “We applaud Gov. Rick Snyder’s support for holding state taxpayers harmless from any increase due to these federal changes.”
Other items on the Main Street Agenda include repealing Michigan’s Prevailing Wage Act, heading off ballot proposals for paid leave and minimum wage, and addressing the shortage of qualified workers.
“As soon as February of this year, the Legislature will likely be presented with a citizen-initiated law (via a ballot initiative) to repeal Michigan’s wasteful and outdated Prevailing Wage law,” said Owens. “This law drives up construction costs for taxpayers and discourages small business from bidding on government construction projects.” Owens acknowledged that this is one issue area where the organization parts company with Governor Snyder. The governor has said that he would veto legislation to repeal the Prevailing Wage Law. However, Owens pointed out that, as a citizen-initiated law, the Legislature can approve it without the need for the governor’s approval.
“With the state and national economy finally firing on all cylinders, 2018 is shaping up to be a banner year for Michigan small business,” said Owens. “This will translate into more opportunity for our citizens and job seekers and a better quality of life for all.”
More about the NFIB Michigan Main Street Agenda items can be found here. For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com. Follow NFIB/Michigan on Twitter, NFIB_MI, or on its webpage, www.nfib.com/michigan.
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Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the National Federation of Independent Business is the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America’s economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges in remaining open.
National Federation of Independent Business/Michigan
115 West Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933
517-485-3409
www.nfib.com/michigan
Twitter: @NFIB_MI
