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Page Index
Welcome to the Michigan Prosperity Project
Resources for an informed workforce and democracy
America works best when Americans vote. But the percentage of eligible voters who cast their ballots continues to decline election after election. According to a study by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, 23 million Americans contacted an elected official over a two-year period, but didn't bother to go vote! We think something needs to be done.
These pages are designed to give Michigan's working families and job providers the information and tools they need to make it to the polls and cast an informed vote. We've included voter registration and absentee ballot information. We've also included tools to help you locate and contact your elected officials and review their voting records on issues important to job creation and business growth in Michigan.
Throughout these page we present information to assist you in casting your vote and becoming more involved in the electoral process. But we don't - and won't - tell you how to vote. That decision is up to you.
The Michigan Democratic Party's 2010 Ballot Proposals:
Right or Wrong for Michigan?
The Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party recently announced that he is exploring whether to place several questions on the November 2010 general election ballot in the name of “putting people first.” These proposals, which take direct aim at Michigan job providers, could have a dramatic impact on our state’s economic competitiveness, if adopted.
Democratic State Party Chair Mark Brewer has been quoted as saying: “The corporate special interests are using these tough times to advance the same tired old agenda – cut jobs, wages, and benefits; reduce services; and shift taxes onto the middle class and the poor. These proposals put people first and will help millions of Michigan citizens.”
Opponents of Brewer’s proposal have a different take, labeling the initiatives both anti-jobs and anti-growth. According to Rich Studley, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, “These proposals have cast a dark cloud over our state’s economic development efforts. I’m not sure Mark Brewer understands the damage he has done. He has demonstrated a profound ignorance of economic reality and the very real challenges Michigan job providers already face.”
Click here for a rundown of each ballot proposal and what proponents and opponents, in general, are saying about them.
Action Alerts! on Federal Issues
Say No to New Energy Taxes
Affordable and reliable energy is essential to the economy and to the prosperity of American workers. Our information pages on the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act discuss how changes to our nation's energy and environmental policies could affect everyone. See an analysis of the proposal's economic impact and find out what's in the bill.
Take action now!
Federal Health Care Reform – Ask U.S. Senate to Hold Strong on Excluding Employer Mandate, Government-Run Option
On October 13, U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted 14-9 in favor of a 10-year, $829 billion health care reform package. In doing so, the Finance Committee became the fifth and final legislative committee to pass a version of health reform legislation, which includes an individual mandate, subsidies for low-income individuals and is paid for, in part, by new taxes on high-end insurance plans, insurers, pharmaceutical companies and medical device makers and reductions in Medicare payments.
The Michigan Chamber generally considers the Senate Finance proposal to be the best bill to be reported by a Congressional committee to date because it excludes many of the more controversial provisions that are in other House and Senate plans, including an employer “pay or play” mandate and a government-run plan to 'compete' in the private marketplace. However, much works remains to be done on this proposal before we can it lend our support.
One of the primary goals of health care reform should be to slow, if not reduce, the cost of health insurance coverage for individuals and employers. Unfortunately, the Senate Finance proposal doesn’t achieve this goal. The new and higher taxes that would be imposed under the Senate Finance proposal, as well as the Medicare payment reductions, will lead to cost-shifting to employer-sponsored coverage and private purchased health insurance – resulting in higher premiums for the majority of Americans. In fact, a PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis done for America’s Health Insurance Plans concluded that, between 2010 and 2019, the cumulative increases in the cost of a typical family policy under the Senate Finance proposal would be approximately $20,700 more than it would be under the current system.
Another key concern with the Senate Finance proposal is that the bill does not address the costly issue of 'defensive medicine' through medical malpractice reform in any meaningful way, despite the Congressional Budget Office’s finding that this type of reform alone could save as much as $54 billion over the next decade. This is one reform Congress cannot afford to ignore.
Action on this debate now shifts to the full Senate, where Congressional leaders and the President will seek to craft a compromise bill that can win 60 votes to avoid a filibuster. We fully expect the full Senate to have a lively floor debate over the fate of an employer mandate and government-run plan, especially because many Congressional Democrats have publically stated the cannot support a bill that excludes either of these controversial provisions.
The Michigan Chamber will continue to strongly voice its continued concern with the inclusion of an employer mandate and a government-run option and advocate for passage of reforms that truly lower costs, improve the quality of care and make sure every American has access to affordable coverage. To be successful, we’ll need your help. Please contact your U.S. Senator today to make your voice heard!
Take action now!
Employee Free Choice Act (Removes Secret Ballot Process for Union Elections) 
Although the debate about the deceptively named Employee Free Choice Act, or “card check” legislation, has been overshadowed in recent weeks by the health care and cap and trade debates, there is little doubt that union leaders continue to pressure the U.S. House and Senate to pass this highly controversial legislation – or some type of unacceptable compromise. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senator now to voice your opposition!
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