Government Relations Update

September 2, 2008

Legislature Returns Next Week

The legislature will be returning for the month of September after an August election recess. Session will begin again on September 9^th in both chambers. The legislature is not meeting this week, as the Republican National Convention is ongoing in St. Paul, Minnesota, with many legislators attending the convention.

Once they return, the legislature will be in for a few weeks before returning to the campaign trail in October. A couple of the issues that could be up for renewed debate include: removing the amount of sales tax collected as part of the calculation of the Michigan Business Tax, and making changes to the electrical choice law.

Grassroots Advocacy E-Launch – Stay Informed!

The importance of an informed citizenry – and in this case, an informed chamber member – in this day and age is vital for keeping on top of ever changing laws and regulations. A business working off the ignorance is bliss mentality is setting themselves up to wake up with the remnants of their business laying at their feet.

Being informed is one thing, but the next step is doing something with this knowledge and being able to take action. The government relations division is creating a special grassroots advocacy information and communication center. Special call to action alerts, weekly updates, and other important items specifically related to government relations, events and legislation would be included.

If you want to receive these grassroots updates available only to chamber members, please email your name, business name and address, along with the email addresses you want to receive these alerts, to Jamie Callahan in the Government Relations Division at Jamie@tcchamber.org or Jamie@northwestmichiganbusiness.com.

New Water Diversion Law Analysis Available

A detailed breakdown of the recently enacted Great Lakes Compact and groundwater withdrawal laws (Public Acts 179-190) can be found by opening the enacted analysis for any of the bills, such as Senate Bill 860, at www.mileg.org, or going directly to the document by CLICKING HERE. As the analysis covers twelve bills, it is rather extensive – 40 pages worth – so plan to block off a block of time for the read.


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Box 513 Gaylord, MI 49734 Phone: (989) 732-6333 Phone: (800) 345-8621 Fax: (989) 732-7990 Contact us via email:	Government Affairs Updates > Government Relations Update September 2, 2008 Legislature Returns Next Week The legislature will be returning for the month of September after an August election recess. Session will begin again on September 9^th in both chambers. The legislature is not meeting this week, as the Republican National Convention is ongoing in St. Paul, Minnesota, with many legislators attending the convention. Once they return, the legislature will be in for a few weeks before returning to the campaign trail in October. A couple of the issues that could be up for renewed debate include: removing the amount of sales tax collected as part of the calculation of the Michigan Business Tax, and making changes to the electrical choice law. Grassroots Advocacy E-Launch – Stay Informed! The importance of an informed citizenry – and in this case, an informed chamber member – in this day and age is vital for keeping on top of ever changing laws and regulations. A business working off the ignorance is bliss mentality is setting themselves up to wake up with the remnants of their business laying at their feet. Being informed is one thing, but the next step is doing something with this knowledge and being able to take action. The government relations division is creating a special grassroots advocacy information and communication center. Special call to action alerts, weekly updates, and other important items specifically related to government relations, events and legislation would be included. If you want to receive these grassroots updates available only to chamber members, please email your name, business name and address, along with the email addresses you want to receive these alerts, to Jamie Callahan in the Government Relations Division at Jamie@tcchamber.org or Jamie@northwestmichiganbusiness.com. New Water Diversion Law Analysis Available A detailed breakdown of the recently enacted Great Lakes Compact and groundwater withdrawal laws (Public Acts 179-190) can be found by opening the enacted analysis for any of the bills, such as Senate Bill 860, at www.mileg.org, or going directly to the document by CLICKING HERE. As the analysis covers twelve bills, it is rather extensive – 40 pages worth – so plan to block off a block of time for the read.