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

CHAMBER COALITION CHAMPIONED COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTION BILLS PASS LEGISLATURE

At 11:30 PM on Tuesday, October 13, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber was notified that a deal had been reached between legislative and business leaders, and the Governor’s office relating to the ongoing bipartisan negotiations to pass liability protection legislation for businesses who continue to face hardships throughout the ongoing 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.

The Legislature passed House Bills 6030, 6031, and 6032, which 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. The SWCRC applauds Wendy Block, vice president of business advocacy and member engagement, and her team at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for their strong efforts and leadership, which led to this important legislation passing both chambers of the Legislature.

Summary of the legislation

The legislation (HB 6030) specifies a person who acts in compliance with all federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders and agency orders related to COVID-19 in effect at the time of the conduct or risk that allegedly caused harm is immune from liability for a COVID-19 claim. The bill defines “person” as an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity or other legal entity, including, but not limited to, a school, a college or university, an institution of higher education and a nonprofit charitable organization. It also includes an employee, agent or independent contractor of the person, regardless of whether the individual is paid or an unpaid volunteer.

Another bill (HB 6031) in the bill package makes similar changes to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act and another (HB 6032) codifies the Governor’s Executive Order that prohibits discharge, discipline, or retaliation against employees who stay home because they test positive, display the principal symptoms or have had close contact with an individual who tests positive or displays the principal symptoms.

The bills do not include added protections for companies that stepped up to make or donate personal protection equipment (PPE) in response to the pandemic. According to negotiators and business advocates on Tuesday night, the Governor’s office took the position that providing these protections to businesses which donated and provided PPE in response to the pandemic were not to be included in these bills. The bills provide protections retroactive to March 1, 2020.

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

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.

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