Small Business Reacts to Michigan State of the State Address

Date: January 24, 2018

Governor’s ‘Marshall Plan’ approach for a trained workforce welcomed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charlie Owens, Michigan State Director, [email protected] Follow Charlie on Twitter @OwensNFIB

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2018—Michigan’s leading advocate for small business today reacted to Gov. Rick Snyder’s eighth and last State of the State Address last night.

“Eight years ago, Michigan was a national laughing stock that led in just about every misery index, including unemployment, mortgage foreclosures, outbound migration and on and on,” said Charlie Owens, Michigan state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “Today, our state is back on track and is now a great state to bring a business, grow a business, or start a business.”

Owens said that priority one for small business this year is to be certain that tax relief intended for taxpayers in 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. “We applaud the governor’s support for holding state taxpayers harmless from any increase due to these federal changes,” said Owens.

Owens was pleased that the governor made it a point to mention that government doesn’t create jobs, it can only create a positive environment where business can create jobs. “Small-business owners grow weary of government bureaucrats and politicians claiming credit for creating jobs,” said Owens. “As a former business executive, Governor Snyder understands this, and it is reflected in his policy initiatives and the positive job growth our state has experienced.”

The governor’s emphasis on the need for a prepared workforce was also welcomed by the small-business group. “With the state and national economy finally firing on all cylinders, a serious shortage of qualified workers has emerged that has the potential to cut short future economic expansion,” said Owens. “While Michigan has tried to address this situation, more needs to be done and we are very encouraged by the governor’s ‘Marshall Plan’ approach to be sure that a trained workforce is ready to fill growing job opportunities.”

“When it is all said and done, the next governor will inherit a state with a balanced budget, a sound economy, and a bright future,” said Owens. “Much of the credit for that has to go to Governor Snyder and his team. We look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature in 2018 in making Michigan the best state in the nation for small business.”

More of 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

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