PolicyThrough the oversight of the Government Issues Committee, the Livonia Chamber of Commerce takes an active roll in monitoring public policy and advocating positions to improve the local business climate and the Livonia community. To reflect the opinion of our members the Chamber periodically conducts and posts results from membership surveys on important public policy issues. Additionally, the Chamber also hosts Legislative Roundtables with elected officials and hold candidate debates during elections.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the Chambers Government Issues Committee, please contact the Chamber by e-mail.
Local Public Transportation
With voters opting to discontinue SMART bus service in Livonia, there are plans underway to create a city transit system. Livonia Chamber president Wes Graff is part of a working group with the City of Livonia to put together the new system.
The new system will include transportation for seniors and disable residents. The group is also working on creating an efficient system that will provide transportation for employees of Livonia-based companies.
August 18, 2005
Michigan Single Business Tax
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce adopted a position relative to the recommended changes to the Single Business Tax (SBT) proposed this year by the Governor, House Republicans and a proposal pending in the Senate. Currently, these proposals are in negotiation among legislators and the governor.
Chamber position regarding Single Business Tax:
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce recognizes the need to provide tax relief
to Michigan businesses to help spur our lagging state economy. Therefore,
we believe that relief should come in the form of broad-based
tax relief for all Michigan businesses. With Michigans ability
to securitize tobacco funds, this relief can be achieved without cutting
funding from other vital programs, like education.
This position is being communicated to our State Representatives John Pastor and Andy Dillon, and Senator Laura Toy. The Chamber will continue to monitor the issue and push for broad-based reform.
Current positions the Livonia Chamber of Commerce is advocating:
Education
Maintain adequate funding for schools and maintain all categorical funding,
such as the 20J funding received by Livonia Public Schools.
Hold Harmless Legislation (20J) funding is special funding for Livonia
and some other districts that was approved when Proposal A was passed.
This promise of
funding
was part of the reason that districts like Livonia supported Proposal
A. The funding allows Livonia and other districts who were investing
more in education than the state average at the time Proposal A was
passed to continue with that same funding level. Therefore, Livonia
receives our full State Aid Foundation allowance.
Taxes
Any type of state tax restructuring should eliminate or phase out the
Single Business Tax. The Single Business Tax is considered a value added
tax. It is different than a profits tax, in that the value added in the
production process, should, in theory, reflect a business activity and
therefore be taxed. Michigan is the only state that uses this method
of a value added tax. Michigans Single Business Tax ranks as the 4th
highest in state corporation taxes per capita and as a percentage of
personal income when compared to corporate income taxes in other states.
The Single Business Tax creates a disincentive to economic growth in
Michigan.
Healthcare
The Chamber supports legislation that creates affordable and accessible
healthcare for small businesses. The Chamber will consider price versus
service delivered in all proposals that create more affordable healthcare
for small businesses.
Elected Public Officials
The following is a list of public policy makers who serve the Livonia
community. All elected public officials appreciate receiving input from
businesses and individuals regarding issues that impact their business
and community.
| State of Michigan | |
| State Representative John Pastor: | 517.373.3920 |
| State Senator Glenn S. Anderson: | 517.373.1707 |
| Governor Jennifer Granholm: | 517.377.3400 |
| State Representative Andy Dillon: | 517.373.0857 |
| United States | |
| US Representative Thaddeus McCotter: | 734.632.0314 |
| US Senator Carl Levin: | 202.224.6221 |
| US Senator Debbie Stabenow: | 202.224.4822 |
| Wayne County | |
| Commissioner District 10 Laura Cox: | 313.224.0946 |
| Commissioner District 12 Kay Beard: | 313.224.0902 |
| Executive Robert Ficano: | 313.224.0286 |
| City of Livonia | |
| Mayor Jack Engebretson: | 734.466.2201 |
| City Council | |
| James McCann, President: | 734.466.2257 |
| Don Knapp, Vice President: | 734.466.2253 |
| Terry Godfroid-Marecki: | 734.466.2252 |
| Joe Laura: | 734.466.2255 |
| Tom Robinson: | 734.466.2256 |
