Michigan Implements Positive Corporate Tax Reform

February 14th, 2012

By Mark Robyn
The Tax Foundation

Michigan lawmakers approved significant corporate tax reform last year that went into effect at the beginning of 2012. Previously Michigan had a dual corporate tax system called the Michigan Business Tax (MBT). Under the MBT corporate profits were taxed at a rate of 4.95 percent, and all transactions were taxed at a rate of 0.8 percent (a gross receipts tax, or GRT). In addition, there was a 21.99 percent surcharge on the total tax liability from the MBT. We had been critics of the MBT, specifically the gross receipts tax, since it was implemented in 2008. GRTs are an outdated, economically damaging tax that leads to tax pyramiding (read more here).

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· Michigan Business Climate

Chamber President Discusses Auto Bailout of 2009

February 1st, 2012

The 2012 campaign season has once again brought to the forefront the decisions made by both the Bush and Obama Administrations to throw a lifeline to General Motors and Chrysler.  Some, like Cato Institute’s Daniel Ikenson (in his January 25th article) are quick to criticize these decisions.  As a Republican, a smaller government conservative and the leader of a business organization, I understand where Mr. Ikenson is coming from – but he fails to consider five critical points:

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· MICHauto Blog

Why Austin, Texas Wants to Be An Autos City (Yes, Austin) via Forbes

January 27th, 2012

By Micheline Maynard originally for Forbes

When you think of Austin, Texas, the first things that come to mind are probably the University of Texas, food, music, and the South by Southwest festival. But now, Austin wants you to think of it as an automotive capital.

Isn’t Austin too deep in the heart of Texas? How can it compete with Detroit, let alone other established Southern auto cities like Lexington, Ky, Nashville, Tenn., Jackson and Tupelo, Miss.? And isn’t an auto industry focus at odds with Austin’s hip reputation?

Austin’s tactic is to home in on companies that are developing advanced technology, explains Adrianna Cruz, vice president of global corporate recruitment for the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

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· MICHauto in the news

Michigan Business Climate Better Than Reported

January 23rd, 2012

In a January 15th Detroit Free Press article titled “Michigan’s bad business climate reputation is hard to discard,” Tom Walsh reflects on an article in the January 2012 edition of Site Selection magazine.  Site Selection reported on a survey of 12 site consultants at the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) conference held in December 2011.  Based on that survey, Indiana, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa were ranked as having the best business climates in the Midwest; Michigan ranked last.  Walsh quotes one of the consultants as saying, “Michigan’s national reputation is very poor and has been for a long time…Michigan could do a complete reversal of course, and it would still take 10 years to reverse its reputation.”

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· Michigan Business Climate

Chamber President Talks MICHauto on Michigan Matters

January 17th, 2012

Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah addresses MICHauto in a brief interview with Carol Cain of Michigan Matters and WWJ-TV at the end of this clip.

Original article on CBS

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Trends Emphasize Need for MICHauto

January 16th, 2012

In the week or so since the launch of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s MICHauto initiative, the need for an organized effort to fight to keep Detroit and Michigan’s position as the national and global automotive epicenter has never been more evident. With news of the United States potentially emerging as the industry’s profit center and General Motors expected to once again become the world’s top auto seller, competition will only intensify nationally for the investment, technology, talent and jobs created by the automotive industry.

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MICHauto on The Craig Fahle Show

January 10th, 2012

Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah discusses the launch of MICHauto with Craig Fahle as the North American International Auto Show opens to media in Detroit.

Listen here:

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Or view the original page.

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By The Numbers

January 9th, 2012

The January Detroiter covered the story of the auto industry’s resurgence as well as its great potential to help drive economic development in the Detroit region and all across Michigan. This piece from the magazine, “Michigan’s Auto Industry By the Numbers” includes key data that reflects the overall scope and impact of Michigan’s signature industry.

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The Road Ahead: MICHauto Launches Effort to Fight for Auto Industry

January 6th, 2012

While Michigan serves as the epicenter of the global automotive industry, the state lacks a unified voice to fight to keep the industry right where it started. On January 5, the Detroit Regional Chamber launched MICHauto to fill that void and advocate for the entire automotive supply chain.

Below are highlights of the event at the Detroit Athletic Club. The event was sponsored by PwC.

See more photos on flickr

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Detroit Regional Chamber seeks to help boost Michigan automotive industry’s competitiveness via:Daily Journal

January 6th, 2012

Originally for Daily Journal

DETROIT — The Detroit Regional Chamber is taking new steps to help the automotive industry better compete on a national and global level.

The chamber on Thursday released details of the “MICHauto” association’s effort and says it’s one of its key economic development initiatives.

Organizers say the aim is to help promote, retain and expand the automotive industry in Michigan.

“MICHauto” got its start in 2006 as a nonprofit and the Detroit Regional Chamber took over its operations in 2010. The association plans to work with economic development agencies and auto industry leaders on its efforts, including attracting auto investment.

Original Article

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