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

MI House Judiciary Committee Passes Business Liability Bills, with the House Expected to Take Up the Bills Shortly. SWCRC Joins Business Groups from Around Michigan in Supporting Employer Liability Protection Legislation

House Bills 6030, 6031, 6032 and 6101 have been introduced, and would incentivize employers to protect and promote workplace and customer safety and protect organizations against the acute economic threat of COVID-19 related lawsuits and other COVID-19 related liability concerns.

Bills Status: Substitutes to House Bills 6030, 6031, 6032, and 6101 (with 6031 and 6101 amending the MIOSHA Act) were introduced by the House Judiciary Committee this week, and passed out of the Committee on September 16. All committee Republicans voted yes, Reps. LaGrand and Elder passed, Reps. Yancy, Guerra, and Bolden voted no. It is expected that the House will vote on the bills the week of September 21. A review of the amendments to the original bills is available HERE. Last week, the MI Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee discussed proposed legislation and heard testimony from business leaders. The SWCRC will keep our membership updated as information becomes available.

Overview: Business owners across the State are concerned about the possibility of unnecessary and unfair litigation against Michigan’s job providers resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a strong effort to protect Michigan’s ethical business community, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber joined trade associations and chambers of commerce from across the State to urge for and support common sense legislation from the state legislature and Governor Whitmer that will protect ethical businesses, which are operating according to the guidelines and orders provided by our governing authorities, from unfair and damaging COVID-19 related litigation. In the letter sent to House members earlier this month, four main concerns are addressed, including: 1) Protecting businesses from unfair litigation, while holding “bad actors” responsible for reckless and intentional wrongdoing; 2) Safe harbor protections that do not hold businesses liable in a lawsuit alleging that the business did not take sufficient protective steps, when the organization has followed all guidance and executive orders provided by the State of Michigan and our governing authorities; 3) supporting legislation that distinguishes legitimate claims from from no-injury lawsuits: and, 4) supporting “good Samaritan” laws that places reasonable limits on liability exposure for manufacturers providing needed PPE to the community. If a business knew of a defect, and failed to act appropriately, it would be held responsible.

Read the Coalition's Memo to the MI Legislature

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

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

Recent Topics

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.

November, 2019 – Continued discussion on long term solutions to resolve the skills gap – Transportation challenges in the workforce

October, 2019 – Meeting with State Sen. Stephanie Chang to discuss various issues important to the Downriver business community.

September, 2019 – Discussion on long term solutions to filling the skills gap with Rudaina Hamade of the US Chamber Council on Small Business.

July, 2019 – Discussion with State Representatives Joe Bellino and Darrin Camilleri on Road Repair Funding and the Governor’s proposed budget.

June, 2019 – Discussion and preparation of Statement on Road Repair Funding. Review of Mackinac Policy Conference.

May, 2019 – Discussion around the proposed State of Michigan budget, including gas tax increase and other initiatives to fund road improvements with MDOT Director Paul Ajegba.

April, 2019 – Discussion on mental health policy and resources in the workplace