MiMfg August 2020 | Page 20

20 MiMfg Magazine August 2020 MFG Voice Mike Johnston Dave Greco David Worthams Vice President of Director of Regulatory Director of Human Government Mike Johnston Affairs & Environmental Dave GrecoAffairs David Resource Worthams Policy Your MMA Government Affairs Team at Work MMA Achieves MFG Exemptions for PPE Mike Johnston • 517-487-8554 • [email protected] The Department of Treasury recently issued Revenue Administrative Bulletin 2020-9 in response to the MMA Tax Policy Committee’s request to exempt personal protection equipment (PPE) related to COVID-19 by including it in the definition of industrial processing. This important win represents a significant tax cut specifically for manufacturers that have spent significant resources on newly required PPE. In addition, the agency responded to MMA’s specific request that it be retroactive, rendering all eligible PPE expenditures since the beginning of the crisis exempt. MMA wishes to thank the Department of Treasury for responding quickly to this request. MMA Continues Effort to Pass Vetoed Tax Deferral Legislation Mike Johnston • 517-487-8554 • [email protected] The Legislature is again moving forward on two MMA-supported tax deferral packages that received strong legislative support before being vetoed by Governor Whitmer in early July. The legislation includes the Summer Property Tax deferral package and the deferral of Sales Use and Withholding. Senate Bill 943 would allow taxpayers, including business owners, to defer interest-free summer 2020 assessments until 3/1/21. The bill would also allow local governments to offer the tax deferment for individuals and businesses on summer 2020 property taxes. MMA understands the uphill battle of overcoming the Governor’s veto but will continue to work with the Legislature and the Administration while advocating for the critical cost-savings and burden reductions these bills represent to manufacturers and local employers. Member Alert: Check Your UIA Statement’s Accuracy David Worthams • 517-487-8511 • [email protected] MMA has learned from various businesses that unemployment benefits have been charged improperly to some employers. In addition, fraudulent charges continue to be a problem. It is important to flag any errors in the statement to quickly determine what charges to your UIA account need to be disputed. The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Summary Notice of Statement of Benefit Charges and Credits, sent quarterly to employers, provides a summary of all of the individual weekly statement of charges and credits for the calendar quarter. If you notice an error on your second quarter statement, dispute it with the UIA and contact your MMA Government Affairs team so that we can advocate on your behalf. Bills Signed to Increase CTE Access David Worthams • 517-487-8511 • [email protected] Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed two bills expanding the ability for students in high school to dual–enroll in classes in a local community college by making summer courses eligible for the program. House Bill 4546 and House Bill 4547 were sponsored by State Representatives Bronna Kahle (R– Adrian) and Ben Frederick (R–Owosso). The legislation provides a new pathway for students interested in a career in manufacturing to obtain the necessary training while meeting existing CTE criteria. Update on PFAS Rule Promulgation Dave Greco • 517-487-8543 • [email protected] Michigan’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) heard testimony on 7/22/20 from MMA regarding the proposed Safe Drinking Water Standards ruleset, which flagged critical areas of concerns with the proposed rules, as well as solutions to enhance and improve the rules. While JCAR previously articulated many of these concerns to EGLE in a formal letter from Chairman Lucido and raised similar questions at the committee hearing, JCAR did allow the rules to move to the Secretary of State for official promulgation. They went into effect 8/3/20. While MMA is disappointed in this result, your Association will continue to act as the leading voice on the issue by raising concerns surrounding the rules, including the need to get the science right, highlighting underestimated costs for municipalities and businesses, and pointing out the “unintended consequences” related to Part 201 cleanup standards. 6 Get the latest updates on legislative and regulatory issues. Join an MMA Policy Committee or subscribe to weekly MFG Voice updates. Learn more at mimfg.org.