Policy Priorities

When government pursues regulatory, labor, legal, or tax policies that increase the cost of doing business, it diminishes Michigan’s global competitiveness. The Chamber will support policies that emphasize Michigan’s competitive advantages, eliminate its disadvantages, and streamline government processes to grow the state’s economy.

Priority Policies

• Streamline Michigan’s permitting process to ensure certainty in the cost and timeliness of doing business.
• Prevent local governments from setting local labor regulations.
• Maintain competitive payroll tax levels for employers and employees.
• Manage benefits efficiently, engaging private sector solutions to maintain quality and reduce fraud.

Respondents Rank Michigan’s Qualities as Advantages, Disadvantages, or Having No Impact on Competitiveness Compared to Other States

Related: View results from the latest Michigan Voter Poll.

Michigan needs holistic, cohesive economic development incentives. Economic development programs should have longevity across administrations and follow a consistent set of strategic goals that recognize the hyper-competitive global market, expand existing industries, and attract new businesses and talent in areas of our competitive advantage.

Policy Priorities

• Encourage high-wage, knowledge-based jobs by creating and implementing a robust R&D tax credit.
• Re-establish a payroll credit for job creation that exceeds the regional median wage, freeing up other economic development resources.
• Create an evergreen fund for Michigan-based companies to
  boost entrepreneurship in the state and support a more comprehensive strategy to foster
  Michigan’s innovation ecosystem.

Only One in Five Respondents Believe Michigan is More Competitive Than Other

Respondents were asked if they think Michigan is more competitive, less competitive, or about as competitive as other states at attracting new businesses and jobs.

To foster a stronger workforce that will thrive in the 21st-century economy, the Chamber set the goal to increase the postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030 – a goal later adopted by the State of Michigan. As part of that, the Chamber supports a pre-K-14 education approach, strong college preparation, focus on student success, and promotion of high-value degrees and other credentials.

Policy Priorities

• Create financial incentives for employers, stakeholders, and educational institutions to offer wrap-around services to promote continuous college enrollment and completion.
• Establish employer support for a pre-K-14 education initiative that recognizes and reinforces the value of postsecondary degree attainment.
• Continue an ongoing partnership with Launch Michigan to ensure high school graduates complete a skills-based curriculum with higher expectations for student performance, their learning environments, and the environments in which teachers work.

Education Level Impacts Decision to Stay in or Leave Michigan; Those With a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Least Likely to Stay

All respondents were asked, on a scale of one to 10, how likely it was that they would be living in Michigan 10 years from now, 10 being the most likely. When broken down by education level, those with a bachelor’s degree or higher are less likely to stay.

The home of MICHauto, the state’s only automotive and mobility cluster association, the Chamber knows that Michigan must take a fact-based, business-focused approach to support the industry’s evolution despite pervasive politicization, especially around the topic of electrification. Policymakers and economic developers should capitalize on Michigan’s manufacturing and innovation legacy to solidify its economic future and continued global leadership during this time of change. It is going to require investment in supply chain, innovation, and infrastructure to be successful. The Chamber and MICHauto will support Michigan’s prosperous mobility future.

Policy Priorities

• Support efforts to boost Michigan’s high-tech and manufacturing talent strategy, including successful training programs like GoingPRO and recruiting the best international talent.
• Ensure Michigan remains the best place for the automotive industry to do business, prioritizing the development of smart infrastructure needed to attract and retain next-generation mobility manufacturers and users.
• Support investments in Michigan’s transportation infrastructure including its highways, local roads, mass transit, ports, railroads, and non-motorized transportation systems.
• Contend for all available federal, state, and local resources.

Would the UAW Strike Make the Detroit Three More Competitive, Less Competitive, or Have No Impact on Their Competitiveness Against Other Auto Companies?

We are one Region made up of many political entities. The Chamber works to bring regional leaders together to work on issues of common interest, transportation, economic development, and shared resources. To that end, the Chamber encourages open dialogue, fiscal responsibility, and regional solutions.

Policy Priorities

• Advocate for funding from all levels of government to provide coordinated regional transit throughout the Detroit Region that seamlessly connects communities across counties. Connected regional transit will encourage increased economic participation and improve the Region’s attractiveness as a destination for businesses and talent.
• Encourage collaborative economic development efforts across political boundaries.

Despite Improving Economic Performance and Confidence in Their Personal Economic Conditions, Voters Remain Sour on the Economy Overall

Related: Learn more about the State of the Region.

The Chamber represents businesses; it engages with complex issues that impact society broadly and businesses differently. Employers need a stable, free democracy with a well-educated, civilly engaged electorate. The Chamber expects elected officials to work in a bipartisan way focused on constituent needs and inclusive economic prosperity. Further, well-formed policies to achieve economic equity establish long-term economic benefits and grow future business leaders.

Policy Priorities

• Support democratic norms and institutions, and encourage bipartisan participation and civility, continuing the Chamber’s long-time emphasis on voting rights and election security.
• Utilize data through The Chamber’s ongoing partnership with the Gallup Center on Black Voices to inform strategic policie and investments in priority social services.
• Bolster efforts to provide capital to minority entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses, including tax credits, loans, and grants.
• Advocate for innovative criminal justice strategies that focus on public safety and equitable enforcement.

Voters Feed Good About Democracy

Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC)

The Chamber PAC comprises business leaders representing bipartisan views and reflecting diversity in industry, business size, and location. The Chamber PAC historically makes bipartisan endorsements based on alignment with the Chamber’s policy priorities. In the 2022 general election, more than 93% of the PAC’s endorsed candidates won their respective races.

Advocacy Advisory Council

The Advocacy Advisory Council is an exclusive opportunity for Elite Chamber members to receive updates directly from the Government Relations team on issues impacting the business community, hear from guest speakers and leaders in the community, and provide valuable feedback on policy and other issues at the local, state, and national level.

Providing business a voice in government, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Government Relations team advocates for policy outcomes that support the regional economy and Michigan’s business community. Learn more about the Chamber’s advocacy efforts at detroitchamber.com/advocacy or contact Vice President of Government Relations, Brad Williams, at bwilliams@detroitchamber.com.