Vote4Biz

DETROIT REGIONAL CHAMBER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ENDORSES STATE HOUSE AND SENATE CANDIDATES

DETROIT, July 22, 2010 — After careful consideration, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Political Action Committee (PAC) has chosen to endorse several candidates in the upcoming Michigan State House and Senate elections. The Detroit Regional Chamber PAC Board of Directors regularly meets to identify and support pro-business candidates and policies that support the chamber’s public policy priorities.

“The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Political Action Committee has endorsed the candidates in the State Senate and House races that align with the Chamber’s goals,” said Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber, “consideration for endorsement included candidate’s records on key chamber supported priorities such as the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC), cost-saving government reforms, job creation and other policy issues.”

In the State Senate primaries, the Chamber’s Political Action Committee endorses the following candidates:
● 1st Senate District- Rep. Coleman Young II (D-Detroit)
● 2nd Senate District- Rep. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park)
● 3rd Senate District- Former Rep. Morris Hood (D-Detroit)
● 4th Senate District- Former Rep. Virgil Smith (D- Detroit)
● 8th Senate District- Former Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor)
● 9th Senate District- Former Rep. Steven Bieda (D-Warren)
● 10th Senate District- Former Rep. Paul Gieleghem (D-Clinton Township)
● 13th Senate District- Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy)
● 14th Senate District- Rep. Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield)
● 15th Senate District- Former Rep. Mike Kowall (R- White Lake)
● 18th Senate District- Rep. Pam Byrnes (D-Chelsea)
● 20th Senate District- Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton)
● 22nd Senate District- Former Rep. Joe Hune (R- Hamburg)
● 29th Senate District- Rep. Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell)

-more-

In the State House primaries, the Chamber’s Political Action Committee endorses the following candidates:
● 2nd House District- Lisa Howze- (D-Detroit)
● 7th House District- Rep. Jimmy Womack (D-Detroit)
● 9th House District- Rep. Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit)
● 10th House District- Harvey Santana (D-Detroit)
● 11th House District- Rep. David Nathan (D-Detroit)
● 12th House District- Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit)
● 16th House District- Rep. Bob Constan (D-Dearborn Heights)
● 17th House District- Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford)
● 31st House District- Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser)
● 34th House District- Rep. Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint)
● 35th House District- Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrup Village)
● 43rd House District- Rep. Gail Haines (R-Waterford)
● 49th House District- Jim Ananich (D-Flint)
● 54th House District- Lonnie Scott (D-Ypsilanti)
● 81st House District- Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac)
● 86th House District- Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Grand Rapids)
● 89th House District- Amanda Price (R-Holland)
● 97th House District- Kim Emmons (R-Lake)
● 103rd House District- Van Sheltrown (D-West Branch)

“These candidates have impressive plans to get our state back on track and have been successful in their previous positions within the business or government sector,” said Terence A. Thomas Sr., Chairman of the Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber
With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest Chamber of commerce in the country. The Chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com

BUSINESS COMMUNITY urges Michigan legislature to Build a New Bridge

DETROIT, MICH., April 16, 2010 – Today a group of highly influential regional and international leaders united to show their support for the Detroit International River Crossing (DRIC) project. On behalf of the business community, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted the forum to urge the Michigan Legislature to authorize moving the DRIC forward and to pass P3 (public-private-partnership) legislation.

“The Detroit Regional Chamber is a strong advocate for the DRIC project,” said Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer, Detroit Regional Chamber. “The DRIC is key to leveraging Detroit’s strategic location to build a robust logistics hub and attracting new investment and jobs to both sides of the border.”

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships, valuable benefits and quality products and services to members. For more information please visit detroitchamber.com.

Detroit Regional Chamber applauds House GOP reform effort

Pushes for Legislature to move cost-saving reforms before break

Reacting to additional reforms proposed today by the House Republican Caucus, the Detroit Regional Chamber was pleased to see more support for cost-saving structural reform changes to the Michigan budget.

House Republicans proposed $1.5 billion in cuts and reforms to balance the state budget, focusing on a variety of things including requiring school employees to contribute to their health care, rescinding the 3 percent state worker pay raise and fixing the Urban Cooperation Act in a way that would allow local units of government better ability to control their costs.

 ”We know all legislators don’t support all proposed reforms, but there is support from many in the Legislature for reforms, and we hope they can collectively get on the same page to make reform proposals a reality,” said Sarah Hubbard, senior vice president of government relations, Detroit Regional Chamber. “The most promising item from the proposals today is repealing the Michigan Business Tax surcharge, which the Chamber fully supports and is committed to making happen. Our membership has been very clear on that point – the MBT does not work and the surcharge is a big part of the problem.”

“If these reforms were easy, they would have been done by now,” continued Hubbard. “But this can not be put off any longer – we hope the Legislature makes significant strides in enacting these reforms by the spring break. Further delay in fixing Michigan’s underlying chronic structural deficit only exacerbates the size of the state’s spending to revenue gap.”

In September, statewide business and trade organizations, including the Detroit Regional Chamber, released a list of 19 suggested reforms that the Legislature should undertake in an effort to combat chronic structural budget deficits.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships, valuable benefits and quality products and services to members. For more information please visit detroitchamber.com.

Health Care Reform Passed By U.S. House

Detroit Regional Chamber Continues to Focus on Employer Costs

Action has been taken by Congress and President Obama to pass a bill for health care reform and the Detroit Regional Chamber is closely watching the situation. This is an important and significant piece of legislation with broad ranging impacts for individuals and businesses – and many of these impacts will not be apparent for years.

“While we are not sure what specific changes this reform will bring, the chamber will continue to advocate for policy that does not limit the flexibility of employers to provide customized and cost-effective plans to their employees,” stated Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “We recognize most health care coverage is provided by employers and we are committed to maintaining policy that will allow all employers to provide quality health care to their employees.”

 ”The Detroit Regional Chamber believes in creating and supporting reforms that will primarily look to decrease health care costs while not increasing or removing tax benefits from employers,” continued Baruah. “Health care costs are a significant issue for businesses of all sizes and we are committed to focusing on getting the costs for health care under control.”

 The Chamber Alliance for Health Reform, led by the Detroit Regional Chamber successfully advocated to remove the option for a public plan from the initial health care reform bill. The new health care reform law may increase costs or taxes and impose mandates to for struggling small businesses right here in Southeast Michigan and across the nation.

Over the next few weeks, the Detroit Regional Chamber will be providing updates on ways members can help support responsible health care reform. Please visit www.vote4biz.com for additional information.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

 With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships, valuable benefits and quality products and services to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com.

Detroit Regional Chamber Applauds Governor’s Reform Proposal Regarding State Employees

Lansing, MICH, January 29, 2010 — The Detroit Regional Chamber today applauded a new reform proposal from Gov. Jennifer Granholm to save the state money and streamline services.

At the Rotary Club of Lansing lunchtime speech, and in an email to state employees today, Granholm rolled out changes to public employee retirement plans and benefits in an effort to save money in the 2010-11 budget. According to MIRS Newsletter, the governor’s proposal totals $450 million in reforms and savings.

Among other things, her proposal includes items that the Chamber supports:
- Requiring newly hired teachers and other school workers to participate in both a defined benefit and defined contribution plan;
- Changing state employee health care coverage, with employees contributing three percent to their retirement plans;
- Eliminating subsidized vision and dental care services for both state employees and school workers;
- Asking veteran state and school employees to retire;
- Asking all new public workers to pay more for health care;
- Reforms to P.A. 312 (binding arbitration for police and fire);
- Aligning Michigan’s criminal sentencing guidelines with those of other states;
- Ending lifetime health care benefits for state lawmakers; and
- Establishing a two-year budget cycle, with each budget done before July 1 (which would require a change to the state Constitution).

“The Chamber is pleased to see many of the reforms we’ve already been supporting included in today’s announcement and the recent proposal from Senate Majority Leader Bishop,” said Sarah Hubbard, senior vice president of government relations at the Chamber. “We look forward to working with the Legislature and the governor to enact cost-saving reforms that will move Michigan forward.”

In September, statewide business and trade organizations –including the Detroit Regional Chamber – released a list of 19 suggested reforms that the Legislature should undertake in an effort to combat chronic structural budget deficits.

“We understand that none of the reforms will be easy — there will be initial resistance. But this can’t be put off any longer – further delay to fixing Michigan’s underlying chronic structural deficit only exacerbates the size of the state’s spending to revenue gap, especially with no federal stimulus money to help,” Hubbard said.

Lansing, MICH – The Detroit Regional Chamber today applauded a new reform proposal from Gov. Jennifer Granholm to save the state money and streamline services.

At the Rotary Club of Lansing lunchtime speech, and in an email to state employees today, Granholm rolled out changes to public employee retirement plans and benefits in an effort to save money in the 2010-11 budget. According to MIRS Newsletter, the governor’s proposal totals $450 million in reforms and savings.

Among other things, her proposal includes items that the Chamber supports:
Ø Requiring newly hired teachers and other school workers to participate in both a defined benefit and defined contribution plan;
Ø Changing state employee health care coverage, with employees contributing three percent to their retirement plans;
Ø Eliminating subsidized vision and dental care services for both state employees and school workers;
Ø Asking veteran state and school employees to retire;
Ø Asking all new public workers to pay more for health care;
Ø Reforms to P.A. 312 (binding arbitration for police and fire);
Ø Aligning Michigan’s criminal sentencing guidelines with those of other states;
Ø Ending lifetime health care benefits for state lawmakers; and
Ø Establishing a two-year budget cycle, with each budget done before July 1 (which would require a change to the state Constitution);

“The Chamber is pleased to see many of the reforms we’ve already been supporting included in today’s announcement and the recent proposal from Senate Majority Leader Bishop,” said Sarah Hubbard, senior vice president of government relations at the Chamber. “We look forward to working with the Legislature and the governor to enact cost-saving reforms that will move Michigan forward.”

In September, statewide business and trade organizations –including the Detroit Regional Chamber – released a list of 19 suggested reforms that the Legislature should undertake in an effort to combat chronic structural budget deficits.

“We understand that none of the reforms will be easy — there will be initial resistance. But this can’t be put off any longer – further delay to fixing Michigan’s underlying chronic structural deficit only exacerbates the size of the state’s spending to revenue gap, especially with no federal stimulus money to help,” Hubbard said.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber
With over 20,000 members and affiliates, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships, valuable benefits and quality products and services to members. For more information please visit detroitchamber.com.

Detroit Regional Economic Partnership Announces Interim Senior Vice President, Blaire Miller

DETROIT, November 24, 2009 — Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced it has entered a contract agreement with Blaire Miller, of International CFO Advisory LLC located in Beverly Hills, Michigan, as interim senior vice president of economic development for its Detroit Regional Economic Partnership. The Partnership focuses on global business development in order to accomplish job creation and investment in southeast Michigan.

Miller has 25 years of international experience in Michigan, focused on investment of United States and Foreign owned companies. Prior to forming her independent consulting firm in 2009, her previous roles include: partner-international services practice, Virchow, Krause & Company; senior vice president & division manager, international corporate banking division, LaSalle Bank, ABN Amro Bank Group; and first vice president & manager of corporate credit products, treasury management department, Comerica Bank.

“Miller will play a critical role carrying out the momentum of the Partnership’s current international economic development activities as well as focusing on business retention support through supplier diversification in Southeast Michigan,” said Richard Blouse, president & CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The chamber made the decision to contract with Miller for an interim period in order to allow the organization to focus on the current leadership transition already underway, while still being responsible to the investors of the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership after the loss of John Carroll Jr. in August.
About the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership

The Detroit Regional Economic Partnership, the economic development arm of the Detroit Regional Chamber, is a unique partnership of the public and private sector working together to improve the economy of Southeast Michigan. Over the past nine years the Partnership has helped 446 companies either locate or expand in the Detroit Region, and 11,385 new jobs have been created through a total investment of $3.7 billion.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com

This morning a letter signed by more than 2,000 Michigan business owners
and organizations will be hand delivered to all House and Senate member
offices:

More than 2,000 Michigan Businesses and Organizations Sign Letter
Urging Lawmakers Implement Spending Reforms

November 9, 2009 Lansing, MI- A letter to Michigan lawmakers signed by
more than 2,000 Michigan business owners was hand delivered today by a
group of business organizations representing a vast cross section of
Michigan job providers. The letter praises lawmakers for passing a
state budget balanced without tax increases, but warned that spending
reforms must be the next step.

The letter echoed sentiments already expressed by the broad group of
business associations during the battle over balancing the state budget
this fall – no new taxes on Michigan business. This time, however, that
message and the need for reforms was reinforced by more than 2,000 main
street business owners lending their name to the cause.

In addition to thanking lawmakers for their efforts on the budget,
business owners made it clear that that the business community does not
support discussions of overall tax restructuring with the goal of
increasing revenue so the state can dodge needed spending reforms.

“Balancing the budget while looking out for our job providers was a
major accomplishment”, said James Holcomb, Vice President for Business
Advocacy at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “But we must keep the
momentum going to change the way we conduct government in our state.”

“The next logical step for our lawmakers is movement on spending
reforms,” said Brad Williams, Director of Government Relations for the
Detroit Regional Chamber. “This must be done before we start talking
about “tax reform” or “tax restructuring”.

“This does not mean that every recommendation put forward by the
business community must be implemented, but a number of substantive
reforms must be acted upon to show good faith by the legislature that
serious reforms are underway,” said Bill Martin, President of the
Michigan Association of Realtors.

The coalition of business groups expressed gratitude to those lawmakers
that held the line on tax increases in the 2010 budget passed last week,
but remained cautious with talk of follow up revenue increases rumored
to be in discussion at the capitol.

Business groups that collected the signatures and put together the
letter and message for lawmakers include:

Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Detroit Regional Chamber
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Lansing Regional Chamber
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan Kalamazoo Regional
Chamber
Michigan Association of Home Builders
Michigan Manufacturers Association
Michigan Association of Realtors
Michigan Restaurant Association
National Federation of Independent Businesses
Michigan Distributors & Vendors Association
Business Leaders for Michigan
Small Business Association of Michigan
Michigan Grocers Association
Michigan Retailers Association
Michigan Bankers Association
Michigan Business & Professional Association
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents

The Detroit Regional Chamber welcomes the significant change to Detroit City Council and Charter Commission brought about by yesterday’s election. The results represent a major step towards revitalizing Detroit, and it is clear the city’s residents and Detroit’s business community are aligned and ready for change.

The newly elected leaders will move the city of Detroit in a new direction in dealing with issues such as education, job creation, a balanced budget and public safety. The chamber also looks forward to working with the newly elected members of the Detroit Charter Commission, which will set the basis for how city government will operate and serve Detroiters and the business community for the next twenty years.

The following elected City Council members received the chamber PAC’s endorsement: Gary Brown; Saunteel Jenkins; incumbent Brenda Jones; Charles Pugh; Andre Spivey; James Tate and incumbent Ken Cockrel, Jr. The Chamber’s PAC endorsed 4 of the 9 newly elected Detroit Charter Commission members; they will serve until November 17, 2012 working to revise the charter, which will determine how city government operates.

The Detroit Regional Chamber participates in the election process by educating candidates about concerns of the business community and supports selected candidates whose leadership is critical in working with the region’s business community.

The chamber endorsed these individuals because we believe they will be able to work in collaboration with the Mayor’s office to create a balanced budget and bring integrity back to Detroit’s city council.

The newly elected city council brings a diverse array of experience; many of them have private sector professional experience that will be beneficial when engaging the region’s business community to make substantial changes for the city of Detroit. This new council, along with Mayor Bing, will be able to effectively execute the regional business agenda.

For more information, contact Sebastian Wade at (313) 596-0399.

Welcomes Change to Detroit City Council and Charter Commission

DETROIT, November 3, 2009 — Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber, pending the City of Detroit’s election results, congratulates our newly elected leaders to the Detroit City Council and Mayor’s office and extending an interest in working together to move Detroit forward.

“This election is important to the business community because change is needed and today we will begin to see the results of our electoral process to make change happen, said Richard E. Blouse, Jr., president and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber. “The newly elected leaders will move the city of Detroit in a new direction dealing with issues such as, education, job creation, a balanced budget and public safety. The chamber urges all our elected and community leaders from the labor and faith-based organizations to come together in the spirit of cooperation to address the city’s need and lead it out of crisis.”

The chamber looks forward to working with the newly elected members of the Detroit Charter Commission. The work of the city’s charter commission will set the basis for how city government will operate and serve Detroiters and the business community for the next twenty years.

“The Detroit Regional Chamber participates in the election process by educating candidates about concerns of the business community, and supports selected candidates whose leadership is critical in working with the region’s business community, said Sarah Hubbard, senior vice president government relations, Detroit Regional Chamber.”

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com