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