Small Business Association of Michigan

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

LANSING ? The Small Business Association of Michigan praised the Legislature?s passage of a tax cut package for manufacturers. ?We should do all we can to help save the industries that are closing plants and eliminating jobs, but we must also nourish the fast-growing small businesses that are expanding their workforces and building the foundation

LANSING ? Nomination and application deadlines have been extended for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch awards program. Companies to Dec. 31 with completed applications now due Jan. 11. The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch program is conducted in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation and is designed to celebrate second-stage entrepreneurs. Winners will be

LANSING ? Michigan small businesses can earn statewide recognition by entering this year?s Michigan 50 Companies to Watch awards program, underwritten by the Edward Lowe Foundation. The contest celebrates second-stage entrepreneurs. Companies can be nominated through Dec. 14. Completed applications are due Dec. 31. To be considered for selection as one of the 50 Companies

LANSING ? The Small Business Association of Michigan support portions of the $3 billion jobs and tax cut package announced Friday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. ?We?re underwhelmed by the tax cut piece but encouraged by the provisions that move us toward improving our entrepreneurial climate,? said SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler. ?The additional $300

LANSING ? The Small Business Association of Michigan?s Board of Directors Friday voted to support a major new state tax reform concept, known as the Michigan Fair Tax, that would eliminate business taxation and instead tax goods and services only once and at the point of final purchase by the consumer. Rep. Fulton Sheen (R-Plainwell),

LANSING - Preventing the state sales tax from being applied to services is a high SBAM priority and one where SBAM has truly made a difference in the fight. SBAM?s strength is our educated grassroots membership working with our professional lobbying team to positively impact government regulations and laws. SBAM opposes government bureaucrats and legislators

LANSING - As Michigan grapples with the combined challenges of balancing our state budget, providing quality public services, and dealing with rising energy costs and the economic challenges of globalization, we would do well to give more thought to how entrepreneurialism can help. Take energy costs, for example. Many believe, as I do, that Michigan

LANSING - Of all the disagreements which have occurred over the last six months in Lansing, it appears an agreement has been reached on the $1 billion securitization of the state?s tobacco settlement, the Small Business Association of Michigan reports. Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema made a statement that the bill, which has already passed