Small Business Association of Michigan

LANSING - As a political advocate and lobbyist for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), there are two recurring complaints I hear from our members about our state. (1) The tax system in our state is ridiculously confusing and unfair and (2) the regulations Michigan keeps putting on small business represent another layer of

LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan, in a press release, said it strongly supports Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's effort to repeal the Single Business Tax through a petition drive that would give voters a chance to decide in November. ?We wholeheartedly back this effort to eliminate the SBT even sooner than

LANSING - Online registration has opened for the second annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards ceremony on April 19, which incluces a keynote speech by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Tickets for the awards dinner are $125 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight. The evening includes a cocktail reception, the awards dinner, and an

LANSING - The Greater Washington D.C. Interfaith Power and Light organization has agreed to serve as the first national partner in the Small Business Association of Michigan'S faith-based Energy Initiative, an aggregated purchasing program for religious congregations. In 2005, SBAM received a three-year, $150,000 grant from the EPA ENERGY STAR program to replicate the Initiative

LANSING - Past SBAM Chair Paul Hense of Grand Rapids is serving as the 2006 chair of the National Small Business Association, SBAM's national affiliate. "NSBA is fortunate to have a small-business owner of Paul's experience and commitment lead our organization," NSBA President Todd McCracken said. "We are looking forward to a very successful year."

LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan has sent out thousands of emails to its member urging them to pressure Gov. Jennifer Granholm into signing two bills aimed at small business. One would lower the Single Business Tax rate and the other prohibit the state from imposing any new workplace ergonomic rules. "Small business

LANSING ? The Small Business Association of Michigan has released its list of 2006 legislative priorities. Leading the list is small business tax relief. ?We?ve focused on the issues that are important to spurring entrepreneurial dynamism in our state,? says SBAM Vice President Government Relations Barry Cargill. ?The stakes are high. Michigan continues to lag

LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan supports a legislative initiative announced Jan. 10 that?s aimed at improving Michigan?s tax and regulatory environment. Legislative Republicans unveiled an agenda that includes lowering the alternative rate that small businesses pay on the Single Business Tax, prohibiting onerous ergonomic standards for businesses and providing businesses with assistance

LANSING - Changes in Michigan?s business taxes to help small business are the top priorities of Michigan's two leading small business organizations. That includes not only specific proposals for small businesses, but ensuring that small businesses have a hand in drafting any legislation to create a new overall business tax. The National Federation of Independent

LANSING ? The Small Business Association of Michigan reported Friday that a petition drive will begin after New Year?s Day to place a Constitutional amendment before voters to raise Michigan?s minimum wage to $6.85 an hour in 2007. SBAM and a coalition of other associations were successful at defeating a legislative proposal to increase the