May 2020
• The fact that the current legislation’s 10-day
reveal requirement would be viewed as a deal-
killer in most instances, removing Michigan
from site consideration.
The Michigan House Tax Policy Committee
previously heard from the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation regarding the impact of
transparency related to economic incentives like MEGA.
MMA is actively meeting with cosponsors of the
package to educate them on the true implications of
these bills and reinforce our opposition to protect
the privacy and integrity of companies large and small
that are growing jobs and driving the economy in this
state. Contact MMA’s Mike Johnston, at 517-487-8554
or [email protected], to stay in the loop on this fight.
MMA Comments on UP Energy
Task Force Recommendations
Manufacturers and residents in both of Michigan’s
peninsulas depend on reliable and affordable pipeline
products. MMA submitted comments in early April
on the UP Energy Task Force Recommendations
regarding propane supply in support of a Line 5 tunnel
which can safely and reliably deliver the proper amount
of propane supply to citizens and businesses in the
Upper Peninsula.
In fact, the UP Energy Task Force confirms that
a majority of the propane used in Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula and across the state comes from the Line 5
tunnel. This is further evidence that the State should
allow for the continued work of the Line 5 replacement.
“Enbridge’s plan includes spending more than $500
million to construct the tunnel,” said Dave Greco, MMA
director of regulatory and environmental affairs.
“The Great Lakes Tunnel project will help provide safe,
reliable, affordable and environmentally sound energy
for Michigan’s citizens and businesses… Michigan
employers and the hundreds of thousands of people
who work for them are relying on the Great Lakes
Tunnel project moving forward for their livelihood
and personal safety and comfort.”
Contact MMA’s Dave Greco, at 517-487-8543
or [email protected], for more on the Great Lakes
Tunnel project and what it means for Michigan’s
energy future.
Get More!
The best way to stay informed on legislative
and regulatory issues is to join an MMA Policy
Committee. See mimfg.org to learn more.
MiMfg Magazine
Unemployment Work Search
Modernization Passes
Currently, Michigan law requires that claimants
report monthly on work search activities and the law
only permits actual applications with employers as a
work search activity. Senate Bill 812 (Senator Ken
Horn, R-Frankenmuth), intended to modernize
Michigan’s work search requirements, sailed
through the Legislature on 3/17/20 and was signed
into law by Governor Whitmer on 4/2/20.
SB 812 will recognize other activities that a claimant
may pursue to support their reemployment in the
definition of work search. Additionally, the bill
requires claimants to report work search activities at
least every other week. The current monthly reporting
requirement has contributed to a high improper
payment rate, which has resulted in the involvement
of the US Department of Labor.
It is important to note that the Governor’s
Executive Order 2020–10 and subsequent revised
and related EOs temporarily suspend registration
and work search requirements in response to the
COVID–19 outbreak.
Contact MMA’s Delaney McKinley, at 517-487-
8530 or [email protected], for more information.
Pandemic Delays Action on
Multiple Ballot Campaigns
As Michigan continues to deal with the devastating
effects of COVID-19 on local manufacturers and
their communities, ballot efforts for the November
2020 general election have also suffered with multiple
campaigns choosing to delay action into 2022 and
beyond as signature-gathering has ground to a halt.
The Fair Tax Michigan campaign, which sought a
graduated state income tax, announced it would not
ask the Board of State Canvassers (BSC) to convene
and thus will not seek approval-to-form for its
petition, effectively suspending signature-gathering.
This follows a similar decision by Progress Michigan’s
Coalition to Close Lansing Loopholes effort for
lobbying reform. Both groups stated their intention
to qualify for the 2022 ballot.
While the threat these ballot proposals pose to
manufacturers has been postponed, it has not gone
away completely.
Contact MMA’s Brianna Mills at 517-487-8523
or [email protected] for details on ballot efforts.
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