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Lead Contact for
News & Alerts
Elyse Kopietz
Communications Specialist
517-487-8553
517-853-3353 (fax)
kopietz@mma-net.org
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Government Affairs > News & Alerts
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News & Alerts
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| Deja Vu: Biz Tax Cuts Head Agenda in Lansing
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Whether property tax liability has hindered a Michigan economic recovery built on manufacturing is unclear. But unless Snyder and lawmakers address the issue, said Mike Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the state could lose investment in the long run if auto suppliers, for instance, conclude they can operate as easily in Ohio as in Michigan, but at lower cost.
“The economy is recovering largely based on manufacturing growth, so let’s get a piece of that pie,” Johnston said.
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| SIIA Sues Michigan in Response to Health Plan Tax Law
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| MMA has been notified that a national organization representing self insured plans is filing suit in Federal court tomorrow to block application of the HICA tax on self-insureds. A copy of the lawsuit to be filed by the Self-Insurance Institute of America is attached and their draft press release is below. As a courtesy, please do not distribute outside of your organization until both documents are publicly released tomorrow. MMA is not involved in the lawsuit but the outcome of the suit is significant enough for our members that we will continue to follow it closely and keep members notified of developments.
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| Workers' Compensation Reform Package Goes to Governor
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| The House of Representatives concurred with the Senate version of HB 5002 on 12/13/11. MMA has led the drive for Workers' Compensation Reform, a crucial step toward making Michigan's business environment more competitive.
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| MMA Asks Legislators to Oppose Oral Chemo Mandate
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| This week MMA submitted a floor letter in opposition of another proposed insurance benefit mandate that will increase the cost of health insurance for manufacturers, the largest providers of self-insured health insurance. Legislation introduced by Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township) SB 540 and SB 541 passed the Senate unanimously.
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| Legislature Passes Comprehensive Solution to Address UI Crisis
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| Lawmakers took action this week to resolve issues that have long plagued Michigan's Unemployment Insurance (UI) program and address the crisis-level financial insolvency that resulted in more than $3.2 billion outstanding debt to the federal government to fund UI benefits during the recent economic downturn.
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| End in Sight for Issue of Disregarded Entity Filing
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| The notice to re-file disregarded entities under the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) which has lingered for several years, and was again pushed back to July 2012, may soon be resolved. The House Tax Policy Committee added language to SB 369, sponsored by Senator Jack Brandenberg (R-Harrison Twp.), on 12/8/11 that should resolve the matter once and for all.
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| House Passes “No Stricter Than Federal Legislation for MIOSHA
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| The House of Representatives passed legislation, late 12/8/11, to ensure that Michigan health and safety workplace rules are no stricter than federal standards. HB 5030, sponsored by Representative Joe Haveman (R-Holland), changes the Michigan’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (MIOSHA).
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| Committee Members Discuss Beneficial Reuse
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| On 11/30/11 members of a workgroup formed by the MMA Environmental Policy Committee met via conference call to begin work to create a comprehensive beneficial reuse law and encourage companies to reuse materials that presently are treated as waste.
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| Governor Approves Key Regulatory Legislation
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| Key parts of MMA’s Regulatory Reform priorities were signed into law this week by Governor Rick Snyder. He signed five of the six bills in a package passed by the Legislature three weeks ago with bipartisan support.
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| “Fracking” Legislation Introduced
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| The House introduced legislation that would disallow any new permits for hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” until the effects are further studied by the state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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| Snyder Announces Detroit Transit Task Force
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| The Governor is scheduled to give his special address on infrastructure next week. On 10/17/11 Snyder announced that he and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will be forming a task force to focus on regional transportation.
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| Lifetime Legislator Health Insurance Officially Ended
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On 10/18/11, Governor Snyder signed HB 4087 which puts an end to lifetime health insurance for legislators. Future legislators, as well as 97 of the 147 legislators currently in office, will no longer receive taxpayer-funded health insurance coverage over the age of 55.
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| NITC Legislation May Move in Committees
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| Following the end of hearings, the Senate Economic Development Committee did not vote on the proposed New International Trade Crossing (NITC) legislation. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) told reporters this morning, 10/14/11, he could soon take up the Detroit-Windsor bridge legislation in his Government Operations Committee.
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| Automotive Executives Testify in Support of NITC
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| Executives from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors testified on 10/4/11 and 10/5/11 before the Senate Economic Development Committee in support of the proposal for a publicly owned and operated bridge from Detroit to Windsor.
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| Personal Property Tax Top Priority for Senate
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| Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said 9/21/11 that reforming the Personal Property Tax (PPT), a tax that is levied on businesses for nonpermanent equipment used in day-to-day operations such as machinery, furniture and computers, is at the top of the Senate’s fall agenda.
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| Lt. Gov. Calley Speaks to Members on PPT
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| Members of MMA’s Tax Policy and Government Affairs Committees met and discussed elimination of the personal property tax (PPT) with Lt. Governor Brian Calley. While the Lt. Governor stressed that there is a plan already in place for how the funding relied upon by local municipalities would be replaced, he was not yet able to share the details.
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| MMA Co-Signs Letter for Train Act
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| In coordination with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Small Business Association and Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, MMA sent a letter [pdf file] to Michigan U.S. Representatives encouraging them to vote for the TRAIN Act, H.R. 2401, which will soon be taken up by the House.
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| Independent Study Finds NITC Better Option
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| An independent study “Building a New Bridge in Detroit: A Study Evaluating the Options” which was released shortly after the one recently conducted by the Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing , found that the proposed New International Trade Crossing (NITC) would possess the ability relieve traffic congestion between the United States and Canada, a timely and costly disturbance to the supply chain.
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| Bridge Would Add Jobs Across State
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| Building the new Detroit-Canada bridge will mean jobs. Originally advocates of the New International Trade Crossing said the project would create 40,000 jobs. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) says the project will create 15,000-20,000 jobs over the original number.
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| Senate Passes Resolution on Toxics Review
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The Senate approved SR 96 on 6/29/11. The resolution asks the United States Congress to review and modernize the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). A similar resolution was passed the week before by the House.
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| Public Employee Health Insurance a Mixed Situation
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Despite Lt. Governor Brian Calley’s testimony on 6/29/11 to the Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee and both chambers working well into the evening, public employee health insurance was not finalized. Before they broke, a new proposal came out of the House Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee shortly before 8:00 p.m. that would combine the 80/20 and dollar cap programs.
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| MMA Testifies on Toxic Substances Control Act
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Andy Such, MMA director of environmental and regulatory policy for testified on Wednesday before the House Regulatory Reform Committee which is considering HR 96 sponsored by Representative Charles Brunner (D-Bay City).
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