SWCRC Public Policy Committee

The SWCRC is committed to serving our members through effective advocacy for policy that positively enhances Downriver businesses.

Mission

The SWCRC Public Policy Committee strives to educate our membership and general public as to present and propose government policy and legislative acts that positively effect the overall business climate and to communicate and interact with our fellow business associations, elected and appointed government officials and media on legislative and policy initiatives.

Committee Leadership

Chairman: Dennis Danville,
YEO & YEO CPA

Staff Liaison: Ronald J. Hinrichs,
SWCRC President & CEO
rhinrichs@swcrc.com

Committee Membership

The SWCRC Public Policy Committee is made up of SWCRC members and community leaders who are passionate about serving our Downriver business community in a dynamic way. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Ron Hinrichs: rhinrichs@swcrc.com.

Meeting Dates, Time and Location

The SWCRC Public Policy Committee meets every first Monday of the month at 8:30 AM at the SWCRC office, located at 20904 Northline in Taylor.

Legislative Forums

The SWCRC hosts monthly legislative and business forums to discuss the key issues impacting your business. Forum speakers include our U.S. Senators and representatives in Congress, State lawmakers, County lawmakers and leaders, along with local leaders. Forums include a breakfast or lunch, and are typically held the 4th Monday of the month, though depending on the speaker’s schedule. Upcoming monthly forums can be found on our events calendar.

Next Upcoming Forum

Event Information

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Continues to Urge Regional Leadership to Support an Efficient and Reliable Mass Transit Plan

Regional mass transit is critical toward accomplishing real solutions to fill the skills and talent gap throughout our region. The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber adopted a statement supporting regional mass transit in May, 2018, citing a need to work toward lasting solutions to fill the talent gap for our region’s employers. As lawmakers plan to push for a new regional mass transit plan in the coming months, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber issues a revised statement, joining regional corporate and community leaders in calling on our elected leaders and the Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors to present a transit plan to voters that will expand mobility options throughout Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

A strong regional mass transit plan will assist in recruiting and retaining strong talent in the Metro Detroit region. The SWCRC continues to support a regional mass transit system that is effective, bipartisan, and provides solutions for our employers and region’s workforce. It’s time to get this done.

Issues & Resources

The Committee discusses a wide variety of issues impacting our membership. The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber works to support our members by providing policy advocacy support on the key issues impacting your business. If you have an advocacy request, please fill out the following form. Your request will be submitted to the SWCRC Public Policy Committee for consideration and review. Final decisions regarding all policy advocacy requests are determined by the SWCRC Board of Directors.

Member Policy Advocacy Request Form

Adopted changes to Michigan Paid Sick Leave Law

Adopted changes to Michigan Minimum Wage Law

McLouth Steel Site Cleanup FAQ

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Issues Statement Urging Michigan’s Elected Leaders to Work Together Toward a Legislative Solution Fixing Michigan’s Roads and Bridges

“The poor condition of Michigan’s roadways and bridges continues to have a detrimental impact on the southern Wayne County and Downriver business community. Our membership of large and small business, for profit and nonprofit, expect and deserve roadways that provide a pathway to success for their organization. As the Body representing Downriver’s and southern Wayne County’s employers and community investors, we urge Michigan’s Legislature and Governor to work together toward creating a strong legislative solution to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges…”

Full Statement

U.S. Steel Great Lakes Works Layoffs: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Displaced Workers Update

The Downriver Community Conference was recently notified that Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) has been approved for displaced Great Lakes Works employees throughout our region. This funding will help many throughout our region as they seek new employment. Displaced Great Lakes Works employees are encouraged to contact our American Jobs Center in the region, which is the Downriver Community Conference, to apply for TAA assistance. The DCC will be reaching out to displaced workers as well. A link to contact information at the DCC is located below to apply for this funding.

The SWCRC shares our region’s concerns about the negative impact these layoffs of an estimated 1,700 good paying jobs could have on our entire regional economy. The SWCRC recognizes the tremendous efforts of Jim Perry and the Downriver Community Conference who, as a designated American Job Center (AJC) are working to assist and retrain displaced workers from US Steel for new employment opportunities within our region. Jim and his team are doing a great job to help minimize the impact on our region and to assist our local talent in finding high quality employment opportunities.

Downriver Community Conference (American Jobs Center Partner)

Read the Revised 2019 Statement

SWCRC Joins Coalition of Chambers Throughout Michigan Urging State Elected Leaders to Take Immediate Action Toward Effective Solutions to Overcome the Labor Shortage Crisis

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber joined 43 chambers of commerce and business advocacy groups throughout Michigan to urge our state elected leaders to take immediate action toward meaningful solutions in resolving the ongoing worker shortage crisis facing our membership and business community. A letter was sent to our state elected leadership discussing actions that must immediately be taken by the state legislature and the Governor, including ending the current $300 federal unemployment supplement, offering return-to-work bonuses to current UI recipients, aggressively enforcing UI work-search requirements, fully funding the Going-Pro Talent Fund and other rapid job training programs, and investing in infrastructure, quality and affordable childcare, reliable transportation, and other solutions to overcome ongoing employment barriers. The current labor shortage crisis facing our membership and Downriver employers has brought on significant hardship for our entire community. The SWCRC will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of our membership as we work to find real solutions and enhance our quality of life for Downriver’s workforce, employers, and residents.

Read the Coalition's Letter

Recent Topics

November, 2021 – Biden Administration’s OSHA ETS Vaccine/Testing Mandate, and ongoing negotiations on a federal budget and infrastructure package

October, 2021 – The impact of the Destination Downriver campaign on recruiting talent to our region

August, 2021 – Discussion on redistricting with the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission

June, 2021 – Meeting with Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington

April, 2021 – Discussion on the PRO Act and Medicare for All proposal with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. View the presentation.

March, 2021 – Discussion and update on a potential federal infrastructure bill by the 4th of July

February, 2021 – Discussion with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell on several topics from small business and municipal relief to a greatly needed infrastructure bill

November, 2020 – Election timeline from November 3 – Inauguration Day, October 29 MDHHS Epidemic Health Order, Going Pro Talent Fund application period, and review of MI business liability laws.

October, 2020 – Overview of the approved state budget, and supreme court ruling striking down the Governor’s COVID-19 emergency powers. View the Meeting

September, 2020 – Discussion on former McLouth Steel property zoning with former Trenton city manager Jim Wagner

August, 2020 – Discussion on development at the Pinnacle Development Area District in Huron Township with the Aerotropolis

July, 2020 – Update on current business resources for organizations impacted by the ongoing pandemic

May & June, 2020 – Continuing the conversation on reopening Michigan’s economy safely with a phased approach.

April, 2020 – Discussion on Great Lakes Works layoffs announcement and the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program now available to assist displaced Great Lakes Works employees.

March, 2020 – Discussion on the Going PRO Talent Fund, and the current funding status for this vital program with guest speaker SEMCA Michigan Works! CEO Greg Pitoniak.

February, 2020 – Discussion with our region’s newly elected and reelected mayors concerning their goals and vision for their individual communities, and how the Chamber can support these initiatives to benefit our regional business community.

December, 2019 – Discussion on the governor’s order to the Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity to draft an executive mandate increasing the overtime salary threshold to $51,000 in Michigan.