2017 Legislative Priorities Invest in Infrastructure: Continue to support the Regional Transit Authority, construction of the Gordie Howe International bridge, user-fee based increases for transportation infrastructure and other efforts by federal officials to increase federal investment in all forms of infrastructure.
Create a Talented Michigan: Make college affordable for all students, increase funding for successful programs such as the Skilled Trades Training Fund, and create robust, healthy communities in which talented individuals want to reside.
Make Michigan an Economic Development Powerhouse: Maximize Michigan’s built-in advantage in automotive R&D, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility. Compete with states that offer incentives for transformational investments in brownfield sites and high-wage job creation, and promote our role in national defense.
Promote Healthy Local Governments and School Districts Partnership: Support efforts to reform a benefit system that balances financial responsibility with the desire to attract top talent. Promote partnership with state government and appropriate public policies to ensure revenues are sufficient to meet the needs of unique communities.
Develop an Education System Worthy of Michigan’s Citizens: Support the Michigan Merit Curriculum and Common Core. Implement provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act that include thoughtful accountability for school districts and tools to adequately measure and compare Michigan’s growth to peer states.
Make Michigan a Welcoming State: Pursue policies that create a welcoming environment, support efforts to expand high-skilled immigration, and create high-skilled immigration zones in urban areas transitioning from economic stress.
Advocate for Reliable and Affordable Energy: Continue to support federal energy legislation that modernizes the grid, prevents unnecessary regulation and provides reliable and affordable energy that allows for economic growth.
Support a Government That Works for Business: Support efforts to codify the regulatory progress of Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration and regulatory reform at all levels of government. Support policies that avoid duplicative regulation and continue to promote taxpayer-friendly reforms in the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Support Criminal Justice Reform: Support “presumptive parole” policies that avoid exorbitantly long prision terms, while related cost savings are allocated to public safety and other efforts to reduce crime.
Keep Michigan Healthy: Protect expanded coverage in Michigan that encourages and incentivizes patient use of primary care providers. Continue to oppose coverage mandates, and support policies that encourage transparency in health care.
Working on the Issues that
Matter to Business
The Detroit Regional Chamber conducts one of the most aggressive advocacy programs anywhere, fighting for its members and giving them a voice at all levels of government, from Detroit to Lansing to Washington, D.C. Continually ranked as one of the top advocacy organizations in the state, the Chamber’s advocacy program focuses on supporting legislation and lawmakers that help create an environment where businesses thrive. The Chamber’s government relations team actively addresses emerging issues impacting Chamber members at the federal, state and local levels. Please contact our team to learn more about what the Chamber is doing for your business.
Brad Williams Vice President bwilliam@detroitchamber.com 517.402.1744
Issue Areas: Appropriations, Energy, Tax and Transportation/Infrastructure
Lindsay Case Palsrok Senior Director lcase@detroitchamber.com 517.667.6290
Issue Areas: Health Care, Transportation, Regional/Urban Issues, Education
Jason Puscas Director jpuscas@detroitchamber.com 248.709.4866
Issue Areas: Banking and Finance, Economic Development, Environment and Tax
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