Time to get back to work on economy

Published 8:21 am Thursday, November 6, 2008

By Staff
LANSING – With the 2008 election now behind us, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce today is calling on Gov. Granholm and the state Legislature to return to Lansing next week and get to work on the economic challenges facing our state.
"Throughout the recent campaign, Michigan voters expressed their concern about jobs and the economy and there was a healthy debate on how to move Michigan forward," said Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "It's time for Gov. Granholm and state lawmakers to return to Lansing and get back to work on improving Michigan's business climate and economic competitiveness."
"With only a few session days left before the end of the calendar year, there are four key issues that remain at the top of the Michigan Chamber's 2008 business agenda," noted Jim Holcomb, vice president of business advocacy and associate general counsel for the Michigan Chamber.
"These agenda items are: eliminate the Michigan Business Tax surcharge; support greater accountability and excellence in education; maintain a stable and predictable legal climate; and improve Michigan's transportation system."
"Before the election, a bipartisan majority of the Michigan Senate voted in favor of legislation to eliminate the 22-percent surcharge and solve other problems with the new Michigan Business Tax," said Tricia Kinley, director of tax and budget policy for the Michigan Chamber. "We call upon the state House to take up these bills – in particular, Senate Bill 1038 – and also pass the cost-saving reforms to pay for this much needed MBT relief."
"Earlier this year, the state House passed a bill to water down new requirements for high school graduation before these standards have been fully implemented," noted Jim Sandy, executive director of the Michigan Business Leaders for Education Excellence, a program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation. "We stand with Gov. Granholm and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in support of education excellence and urge the Michigan Senate to reject the House proposal."