16 MiMfg Magazine October 2020
What ’ s at Stake
In contrast to the challenges of 2020 , the last decade has brought significant legislative and regulatory success for manufacturers , thanks to the leadership of pro-manufacturing elected officials . Elections have consequences and MMA ’ s list of accomplishments reveals clear examples of the influence of pro-manufacturing lawmakers . The elimination of the personal property tax for manufacturers saves $ 576 million annually , totaling $ 2.8 billion since 2016 . The historic rewrite of Michigan ’ s workers ’ compensation laws has saved employers more than a half a billion dollars since 2011 . Hundreds of millions of dollars have been injected into manufacturing training programs , like the Going PRO Talent Fund . More than 2,300 onerous regulations and guidelines were eliminated from state law , ensuring a more predictable and competitive business climate . Countless costly proposals have been blocked ; local governments have been preempted from imposing another layer of employment law and companies continue to have the power to dispute the property tax valuation of manufacturing facilities .
We could make more products in Michigan if we could find more workers with manufacturing skillsets . This involves many factors , but we need policymakers who are focused on talent development so we can attract more jobs to the state , grow its economy and improve quality of life for all .
— John K . Kerr , Senior Manager of Government Affairs , Denso International America , Inc .
Manufacturing success requires both offensive and defensive work . Of the more than 3,000 lobbyists registered in the State of Michigan , most are working to elect candidates with interests counter to manufacturers ’ interests . These groups advocate for tax increases and greater spending , with manufacturers as the recurrent target for greater revenue . Some groups seek to impose government mandates and burdensome regulations on manufacturers , often in excess of regulations imposed in other states .
A single issue can create a barrier or blaze a path to competitiveness for Michigan manufacturers .
MMA Webinar Series • Register @ mimfg . org
Election 2020 & the MFG Impact
Election 2020 : A Manufacturing Preview
Wednesday , 10 / 21 / 20 • 1:30 p . m . Join MMA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Johnston and Lansing ’ s most respected voices on state government and politics for an entertaining and informative discussion of how the 2020 General Election is shaping up for Michigan candidates . Discover how the power of Michigan ’ s manufacturing industry and the likelihood of success for the pro-manufacturing agenda will be impacted by results at the polls .
SPEAKERS
Mike Johnston MMA Vice President of Government Affairs Johnston leads MMA ’ s government affairs mission . He has represented MMA at the Capitol since 1999 , becoming Vice President of Government Affairs in 2008 . Prior to his work at MMA , Johnston served as Director of the House Republican Policy Office , in the Michigan House of Representatives under two leaders , Representative Paul Hillegonds and Representative Ken Sikkema , and in the Michigan Department of Commerce as an environmental ombudsman in the Office of the Michigan Business Ombudsman .
Kyle Melinn MIRS Editor and Vice President Melinn has been a journalist for 20 years , covering the State Capitol for the last 13 and regularly appearing on radio shows across the state . Before MIRS , Melinn served as a freelance writer for the Boston Herald and covered government and politics for the The Daily Citizen , in Dalton , Ga .; The Yuma Daily Sun , in Yuma , Ariz .; and the Towne Courier in East Lansing .
Zachary Gorchow Gongwer Executive Editor and Publisher Named Gongwer ’ s executive editor and publisher in 2020 , Gorchow manages the company ’ s Michigan operations , develops new services , plays a role in news coverage and leads reporting on the governor ’ s office . He was Gongwer ’ s editor from 2009-19 and covered the Michigan House of Representatives for Gongwer from 1998-2005 .
Election 2020 : Analyzing the Results and the Manufacturing Impact
Friday , 11 / 6 / 20 • 1:30 p . m . The 2020 General Election will determine the direction of manufacturing ’ s next decade . Join MMA ’ s Government Affairs team for a breakdown of election results with particular attention paid to how the power of Michigan ’ s manufacturing industry will be impacted and the likelihood of success for the pro-manufacturing agenda in the future .