News & Resources

Economic gardening vs economic hunting

Not long ago, Foxconn (manufacturer of iPhones) had several states and the federal government bending over backwards offering tax incentives to lure their proposed U.S. project.

January 30, 2019

Benson Wants Nessel’s Opinion On Lame Duck Petition Drive Changes

Secretary of State (SOS) Jocelyn Benson Tuesday asked Attorney General Dana Nessel to opine on the constitutionality of the law passed in lame duck that set limits, per congressional district, on signatures gathered for citizens' initiatives.

January 30, 2019

Benson’s Redistricting Settlement Would Redraw 11 State House Districts

Secretary of State (SOS) Jocelyn Benson announced a proposed deal in the federal redistricting lawsuit that would involve the Legislature redrawing 11 state House districts, which the court would then have to approve for the …

January 28, 2019

Maximize the potential of Michigan’s small businesses

The team at SBAM didn’t waste any time getting the member-driven agenda started in the New Year.

January 23, 2019

Will The Federal Shutdown Count As A Rainy Day?

With parts of the federal government still shuttered since Dec. 22, will Michigan's now-$1.1 billion Rainy Day Fund come into play at some point?

January 23, 2019

Benson Seeks Deal In Redistricting Suit; May Mean Redrawn Districts In 2020

Arguing the court has "found significant evidence of partisan gerrymandering," Secretary of State (SOS) Jocelyn Benson filed a brief in the League of Women Voters of Michigan (LWV) redistricting lawsuit that opens the door to …

January 21, 2019

Raising the bar

Having served in state office for the last 12 years in a term-limited environment, I’ve seen several transitions to new executive and legislative leadership.

January 15, 2019

Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Is First Horse Out Of The Gate

A drug dealer would have to be convicted before police could keep, through civil asset forfeiture, money or property seized as proceeds of the crime, under legislation introduced Wednesday, the first two bills of the …

January 15, 2019

State Revenues To Tick Up $264M This Year, $225M More Next Year

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is starting off with $264.7 million more in state revenues than previously expected this fiscal year and $225 million more than previously estimated in state revenue for her first budget for Fiscal …

January 14, 2019

This time, something feels different

Last week, I had the honor of joining my wife, Representative Julie Calley, as she was sworn in to the 100th State Legislature. It is a beautiful ceremony.

January 8, 2019

Renew Michigan, ‘No Stricter,’ 15% Bills Among Those Signed By Snyder

Among the 126 bills Gov. Rick SNYDER signed the Friday before he left office was HB 4991, which locks $69 million in income tax revenue that would have gone to schools to environmental cleanup and …

January 8, 2019

Whitmer Calls For More State Contracts For ‘Disadvantaged’ Businesses

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked the state to adopt policies to increase the contracts the state awards to "geographically disadvantaged businesses" so as to expand business opportunities in "low-income communities and underutilized business areas."

January 2, 2019

Calley named President of Small Business Association of Michigan

Outgoing Lt. Governor to lead organization’s communications and government affairs teams.

December 18, 2018

Gov Signs Paid Sick Leave, Minimum Wage Changes

Gov. Rick Snyder Friday signed into law changes to the minimum wage and paid sick leave initiatives favored by the GOP Legislature and the business community.

December 18, 2018

House Agrees To Cap Citizens Petition Signatures By Congressional Districts

Signatures for ballot proposals would be capped for each congressional district at 15 percent of the total number of signatures submitted -- and anything beyond that would be thrown out -- under legislation that leapt …

December 11, 2018

House Further Revises, Then Passes Paid Sick Leave, Minimum Wage Bills

The minimum wage would go to $12.05, not $12, by 2030, and tipped workers would be paid 38 percent of the regular minimum wage, under amended minimum wage and paid sick leave bills that cleared …