KEY LEGISLATION:
Republicans Unveil Jobs II Plan
Republican legislative leaders Ken Sikkema and Rick
Johnson announced their
Jobs II plan, claiming it is designed to move Michigan forward in job
creation and provide specific remedies for doing so. The nine-point
plan’s
goal is to keep jobs and attract new jobs to the state. Chief among
the
plan’s points is to exempt added payroll costs from the Single
Business Tax
(SBT). In addition, Jobs II proposes
to:
• Eliminate taxation of federal and state
research funds.
• "Get broadband on Main Street" by expanding Michigan’s
Broadband Authority
to allow for funding of high-speed Internet infrastructure.
• Create a Red Tape Task Force to recommend ways to remove burdensome
regulations for businesses.
• Create a personal property exemption for the first $10,000 of
a business’s
personal property value.
• Keep business bankruptcy assets in Michigan by providing an incentive
for
companies to participate in the bankruptcy proceedings of other in-state
companies.
• Simplify filing of Michigan Single Business Tax forms.
• Expand the use of private laboratories for state businesses.
• Streamline U.S.-Canadian border issues by calling on the governor
to
create a Michigan-Ontario Border Commission to standardize border-related
rules and regulations.
The Republicans would like to act on their plan sooner
than later. With the
House and Senate controlled by the Republicans, the situation will allow
them to fast-track committee meetings and action on both floors. The
real
difficulty will come in negotiating with Governor Granholm in order
to get
her signature on the bills.
Business Groups Oppose State Ergonomics Rule
MRA has learned that the state MIOSHA is in the process
of drafting a rule
that would establish a state ergonomics standard. Currently, California
is
the only state with a state-specific ergonomics rule. Washington apparently
enacted one, but saw it overturned through a ballot initiative of the
people.
Now, the three commissions contained in MIOSHA have
decided Michigan needs a
rule, and they are in the stages of writing that rule. The process from
there is long and complicated, but does not allow interest groups and
the
legislature much recourse in stopping it. As a result, business groups,
including MRA, met with key legislative leaders and initiated discussions
aimed at stopping the rule before it is considered.
In fact, the House Commerce Committee heard testimony
about the alarm the
situation has set off within the business community. At a time when
the
state is seeking to retain and find new jobs, an effort to make Michigan
one
of only two states with such a costly and burdensome rule certainly
appears
counterproductive. Committee members received this message loud and
clear,
and the governor and other officials will hear it as well.
It is unclear whether the governor was aware of the
plan for the proposed
rule. MIOSHA began to debate the need for a rule before she took office,
when President Bush and Congress overturned the federal rule. The recent
testimony means that she is now or will soon be aware of the rule development.
KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:
HB 5549, sponsored by Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-Grosse
Pointe Farms), to
provide requirements for hand-written prescriptions.
HB 5551, sponsored by Rep. Chris Ward (R-Brighton).
To revise collection of
overdue taxes on exempt property leased to a for profit business.
HB 5559, sponsored by Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr.
(R-Eastpointe), to require
disclosure of reconditioned appliances and warranty disclaimer on labeling.
To view the content and current status of retail-related
bills, visit BillTrack,
MRA's legislative tracking database exclusively for members, at
www.retailbilltrack.com
If you are currently receiving Capitol F@cts by fax
and would like to receive
it via e-mail, please contact Kathleen Wilson at 517.372.5656 or
kawilson@retailers.com.
For back issues of online Capitol F@cts, visit MRA's main Capitol F@cts page.
Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin
should be directed to:
Kathleen Wilson, Administrative Assistant to the Governmental Affairs
Office at
kawilson@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.5656
Toll-Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
www.retailers.com
www.mallofmichigan.com
