Legislative Priorities 2019

The Bay Area and Saginaw County Chambers of Commerce along with the Midland Business Alliance have worked together to shape public policy positions that will help to revive the area, attract talent and stimulate the economy in the Great Lakes Bay Region. 

Business Climate 
To support and improve our region’s businesses, we look to promote policies that ensure their well being. 

• Investments and improvements in tourism 
• Strengthen local farms and agribusiness interest in the region
• Growth in technology 
• Efforts to maintain open markets and trade for Michigan grown and made products 
• Reduce unnecessary government regulation of business in the private sector including business rights, employment and compensation

Housing & Revitalization 
Throughout the region, we will work to support streamline programs and incentives that help develop rural areas and rehabilitate housing in our urban cores.  

• Downtown Development Authorities (DDA)
• Brownfield Redevelopment programs
• Façade work and downtown revitalization 
• Incentives to restore homes in efforts to revitalize the area  
• Blight Elimination funding and efforts

Talent Investment 
To be competitive in the state, national and global economy we support programs for greater talent attraction and retention. 

• Support efforts of the Marshall plan to close Michigan’s Talent Gap
• Support Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs 
• Funding for higher education and skilled trades programs 
• Investment in career readiness and continued education programs
• Efforts to provide an exceptional quality of life, sense of place and health services to promote greater well-being for residents of the region 

Priorities

State-Wide:

• Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave- support the approach of the legislature in December 2018
• Investment in infrastructure improvements, including technology
• The Public Service Commission’s successful adoption/implementation of PA 348, the establishment of long-term industrial load rates for public utilities

Bay Area:

• Improve water quality and access to the Saginaw Bay and its watershed. 

Midland:

• Support needed expansion of energy capacity through existing infrastructure before the state invests in establishment of new energy capacity infrastructure projects.

Saginaw:  

• Saginaw River Deepening Study – to continue efforts to reverse USACE decision not to move forward with the River Deepening Project.

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Questions about policy statements can be directed to Veronica Horn at 989-757-2113.