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MMA works hard to bring the issues affecting manufacturers into the public arena through the media. Below are some examples.

“Granholm tax plan draws fire from biz,”Crain’s Detroit Business

2/14/10

Summary: Key problems with the Governor’s tax plan are expressed by MMA, the Business Leaders for Michigan and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Under Granholm’s tax proposal the MBT surcharge would be phased out over two years instead of eliminated immediately, and the gross-receipts tax changes are also less dramatic than needed.

The Governor’s proposal “delays the economic benefit. It doesn’t make it a game-changer in terms of the Michigan business climate,” said Mike Johnston, MMA VP of government affairs in reaction to the Governor’s tax plan.

“Analysts say Granholm’s final fervor may be too late“, The Detroit News

2/4/10 | Read full article

Summary: The final State of the State address from Gov. Jennifer Granholm was passionate and legacy-driven but didn’t burnish a governorship tarnished by an economic downturn, experts and others say. Chuck Hadden, MMA president and CEO, said he was pleased with the Governor’s initiatives to bolster manufacturing.

“Building that manufacturing base back up again is going to help our per capita income,” he said. “Now whether that transforms into changing her legacy ... I think only history is going to know that as time goes by.”

“Obama to propose small business tax credits,” Detroit News Washington Bureau

1/28/10 | Read full article

Chuck Hadden, MMA president and CEO, has questions about the Obama administration’s proposal to offer tax credits to small businesses. Hadden said he hopes easier access to loans will be included as part of an overall plan to stimulate the economy.

“In Michigan, manufacturers are hunkered down. This [tax credit] wouldn’t be enough to encourage them to hire people. What they need is credit to buy new equipment.”

“Manufacturers Stress Stricter Government Restructuring,” Gongwer News Service

1/28/10 | Read full article

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, outlines the stringent government restructuring that tops the 2010 priorities for the Michigan Manufacturers Association along with a call for the state to eliminate the Personal Property Tax.

“MMA: Benchmark It and Book It,” MIRS Inc.

1/27/10 | Read full article

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, calls on legislators to benchmark state employee compensation and benefits to national averages. As outlined in the MMA 2010 Structural and Economic Reform Agenda, Johnston suggests running the state like a business.

“We ought to take all cost factors and measure ourselves against all the other states," he said. "Every year we ought to report [to the public] how we do.”

Debra Haight, “Don’t write off Michigan’s manufacturers, lobbyist warns,” Herald Palladium

1/18/10 | Read full article

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, gave a presentation [pdf file] at a Berrien County Manufacturers Council’s meeting on 1/14/10 to talk about Michigan’s manufacturing climate. Despite auto industry problems, Johnston said manufacturing remains the largest sector of the state economy, generating 21 percent of the gross state product (GSP).

“The next biggest sector of the economy is real estate at 11 percent followed by government at 10 percent,” he said. “It’s not agriculture or tourism, but manufacturing that is the economic engine of Michigan.”

Caitlin Costello, “Merits of business tax breaks debated,” Macomb Daily

12/25/09 | Read full article

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, disputes the Mackinac Center conclusion that the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) grants may cause a decrease in manufacturing jobs.

“Michigan has lost jobs — just as many other states have — and to blame economic development incentives is insane,” he said. “MEGA is an essential tool for Michigan to compete for jobs and capital investment.”

Walt Sorg, Radio Interview, WILS Lansing Talk Radio (1320-AM)

12/18/09 | Read interview exerpt

MMA President and CEO Chuck Hadden talks about the federal government’s plan to inject $5 billion into green technologies and clean energy. The plan would offer a 30 percent tax credit to investors in factories working with targeted technologies in the wind and solar energy sectors, as well as the battery industry.

“I think a 30 percent tax credit will help stimulate the economy a bit and we are very interested in the details and how it will actually work,” said Hadden.

Mike Johnston, Editorial “Michigan must do more to retain, attract critical manufacturing jobs,” The Oakland Press

12/6/09 | Read full article

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, discusses the importance of manufacturing to the state of Michigan, and the need for competitive economic policies that will help attract and retain top manufacturers to the state.

“As lawmakers look at retooling our tax structure, we need to focus on what we want most: jobs, capital investment and research and development. These are positive things for our economy that we should continue to encourage through tax policy,” said Johnston.

Hyonhee Shin, “Scripps proposes solid waste disposal fee,” Traverse City Record-Eagle

11/9/09 | Read full article

Randy Gross, MMA director of environmental and regulatory policy, opposes the proposal to raise the state tipping fee to $7.50 per ton.

“We see this as a $140 million tax increase,” Gross said. “The largest recyclers are manufacturers. An average-sized manufacturer would end up paying an additional $10,000 per year in waste disposal because of this tax.”

Ron Jolly, WTCM Traverse City Radio

11/4/09 | Listen to interview

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, talks about the state’s obsolete tax structure and how it negatively affects manufacturers.

“Our current tax structure relies heavily on the manufacturing industry, with the Personal Property Tax as the biggest offender. It really needs to go,” said Johnston. “Michigan needs to implement fundamental reform in our tax structure if we want to attract new investments and secure more jobs for our citizens.”

Walt Sorg Show, WILS Lansing Radio (1320-AM)

11/4/09 | Listen to interview

MMA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Johnston talked about the state’s chronic structural deficit.

“With the budget cuts so fresh in everyone’s mind, we need to remember there will be little or no stimulus money next year to supplement the shortfalls. Michigan needs to address the chronic structural deficit and make a number of changes in the way the Michigan government spends money, beginning with corrections reform.”

Michael Patrick Shiels’ Show, WJIM (1240-AM)

11/3/09 | Listen to interview

Mike Johnston, MMA vice president of government affairs, when asked if manufacturing is still as important as it used to be in Michigan said:

“Yes, definitely. The future of Michigan is dependent upon the success of the manufacturing sector because of the high-job multiplier effect it generates and because it is still the largest contributor to the gross state product at 21 percent,” said Johnston.

Howard Green, Business News Network

10/16/09 | Full interview not available.

MMA President and CEO Chuck Hadden joined the Business News Network (BBN) for a live TV interview about Michigan’s economic situation. Hadden shared his outlook on trends within the manufacturing industry, what manufacturers are doing to create job opportunities and whether there is enough support for manufacturers from the local and federal governments.

“The auto industry will come back, maybe not as big as before, but leaner and more diversified. We have great skilled labor in Michigan, excellent incentives and empty facilities just waiting to be put to use,” said Hadden. “We also have many advanced manufacturing initiatives around the state, such as solar energy, a spin-off from the silicon industry. Plus, our universities are lending a hand by working directly with major manufacturers, such as Dow Chemical, to innovate and invigorate the manufacturing industry.”

John Bry, WOOD Radio News (1300 AM)
Walt Sorg, WILS Lansing Radio (1320-AM)

10/8/09 and 10/8/09 | Listen to WILS interview

These interviews were in response to an Op-Ed [pdf file] opinion piece that Randy Gross, MMA director of environmental and regulatory policy, released on 10/7/09 criticizing efforts by the U.S. Congress to establish a nationwide low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS).

“No one who drives an automobile is safe under a LCFS system, but the problem is especially acute here in Michigan,” said Gross in the op-ed. “In Detroit, the Marathon refinery produces nearly 100,000 barrels of affordable, reliable fuel a day, and provides thousands of jobs that support families, pay out pensions, and provide good-quality health care. Those jobs and that affordable, reliable fuel would be in danger under this proposal.”