Top business issues facing Michigan legislature in 2012 (If the election doesn't get in the way)

Steve Carmody — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:03:56 +0000

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce hopes the legislature will pass several pro-business laws before election year politics starts throwing obstacles in the way this year.

Rich Studley is the president of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. He said there’s probably only a small window before this year’s elections start affecting the ability of the legislature and the governor to get any work done.

"We believe that between now and the May filing deadline …between now and the end of May and the start of June…there are five months that the legislature and the governor can still work on key issues," said Studley.

The chamber is pushing for the elimination of Michigan’s ‘personal property tax’ and would like to streamline environmental and other regulations.

The state’s largest business industry group is also encouraging the governor to move ahead with plans to build a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, even if he has to do it without the legislature’s approval.

One major issue not on the state Chamber of Commerce’s agenda is ‘Right to Work’. Chamber officials say their members have not reached a consensus on the issue. More than 20 states prohibit agreements between employers and unions that require workers to join the union or pay union dues.

michigan chambre of commerce

Top business issues facing Michigan legislature in 2012 (If the election doesn't get in the way)