Chamber Renews Call for Structural Reform

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DETROIT, July 10, 2009 – Today the Detroit Regional Chamber renewed its call for substantial structural reform and issued a clarification to media reports regarding the its role in broad tax reform in Michigan. The chamber was erroneously mentioned as pushing for a graduated income tax. These reports were false; the chamber does not support a graduated income tax.

The chamber has long advocated that Michigan’s Legislature should live up to the promise it made after the tax increase of 2007 and make the tough choices to reform state government. The chamber continues to encourage the Legislature to focus its immediate attention on accomplishing reforms and passing its budget during its summer session.

“Our position hasn’t changed,” chamber President and CEO Richard E. Blouse said. “We have been and will continue to advocate for real, substantial structural reform in the state budget, including the corrections system, sharing of government services and benchmarking employee pay and benefits.”

The chamber has participated in inclusive and productive conversations with business organizations about moving the state forward. The conversation has included the need for a unified voice on structural reform and the state’s overall tax structure.

In 2008, the chamber issued recommendations to greatly reduce the cost of the Michigan Department of Corrections. The chamber has also partnered with other business organizations and the Center for Michigan to advocate for reforms in Medicaid, push for consolidation of services from local governments and school districts, and bringing public employee wages and benefits into line with other states. The complete position paper can be found on the chamber’s Web site at www.detroitchamber.com.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships, valuable benefits and quality products and services to members. For more information please visit, www.detroitchamber.com.