Michigan Governor Rick Snyder talked at one point last night about the need for an A-thru-F grading system of accountability for some measures in the Great Lakes State and if one of the state’s leading small business advocate organizations were issuing such a grade today for his performance in his final State of the State Address, they’d likely be delivering an “A” to the Governor.
Charlie Owens is Michigan State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business — or NFIB — and in reflecting on Snyder’s eighth and last State of the State he says, “Eight years ago, Michigan was a national laughing stock that led in just about every misery index, including unemployment, mortgage foreclosures, outbound migration and on and on.” Owens then quickly adds, “Today, our state is back on track and is now a great state to bring a business, grow a business, or start a business.”
Owens says that priority one for small business this year is to be certain that tax relief intended for taxpayers in the recent federal tax reforms flows through to Michigan taxpayers, suggesting changes must be made to the state tax code to avoid increases due to the elimination of the personal exemption. Owens adds, “We applaud the governor’s support for holding state taxpayers harmless from any increase due to these federal changes.”
Owens was pleased that the governor made it a point to mention that government doesn’t create jobs, it can only create a positive environment where business can create jobs. In fact, he notes, “Small-business owners grow weary of government bureaucrats and politicians claiming credit for creating jobs.” Owens points out that, “As a former business executive, Governor Snyder understands this, and it is reflected in his policy initiatives and the positive job growth our state has experienced.”
The governor’s emphasis on the need for a prepared workforce was also welcomed by the small-business group, as Owens says, “With the state and national economy finally firing on all cylinders, a serious shortage of qualified workers has emerged that has the potential to cut short future economic expansion.” He adds, “While Michigan has tried to address this situation, more needs to be done and we are very encouraged by the governor’s ‘Marshall Plan’ approach to be sure that a trained workforce is ready to fill growing job opportunities.”
Wrapping up his comments on the State of the State, Owens says, “When it is all said and done, the next governor will inherit a state with a balanced budget, a sound economy, and a bright future,” and adds, “Much of the credit for that has to go to Governor Snyder and his team. We look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature in 2018 in making Michigan the best state in the nation for small business.”
More of the NFIB Michigan Main Street Agenda items can be found online at the organization’s website. For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com. Follow NFIB/Michigan on Twitter, NFIB_MI, or on its webpage, www.nfib.com/michigan.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the National Federation of Independent Business is the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America’s economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges in remaining open.
