F or nearly 120 years , MMA has advanced the interests of our members and worked with state government on important policy issues . One of the most challenging periods in that long history occurred just last year as we faced a global pandemic .
Looking ahead , the MMA Government Affairs team is focused on helping to move manufacturing forward as vaccinations continue to be rolled out and normalcy is slowly but surely returning in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis .
“ As we rebound from the pandemic , our members need state government to be a partner in our pursuit of excellence ,” said Mike Johnston , MMA Vice President of Government Affairs and leader of MMA ’ s dedicated team of professional lobbyists working tirelessly to boost the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry .
Acting as the primary advocate for more than 1,600 members , MMA ’ s Government Affairs team works hand-in-hand with the membership and policymakers to promote and protect the interests of Michigan manufacturing — an economic sector that accounts for over $ 100 billion in goods produced and employs nearly 570,000 people .
Strong results require strong actions so MMA often acts as the “ tip of the spear ” on a broad cross-section of statewide policy issues unique to manufacturers , ranging from education and training , energy , tax , environmental regulation and more according to Johnston .
“ We drive policy and advocate for solutions that help Michigan manufacturers compete on a national and global scale ,” says Johnston .
MMA ’ s 2021-22 Legislative & Regulatory Action Plan has been set by MMA Policy Committees comprised of manufacturers large and small . Within the Agenda are the policies , issues and solutions that your Government Affairs team works on daily — the end goal is a business climate that allows manufacturers to compete globally .
With a new two-year legislative session kicking off in January and a slate of new legislators in office , Johnston and his team are working at every level of state government to push policies to allow manufacturing to create jobs and drive the state ’ s economic recovery .
Constraining Employer Costs for Record Unemployment
What Manufacturers Need to Know : Record unemployment levels , federal benefit extensions and state unemployment expansions present enormous costs to the entirely employer-funded system . MMA is fighting to make sure manufacturers aren ’ t footing the bill .
Policy changes , record unemployment and massive fraud related to the global pandemic have depleted
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the employer-financed Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund ( UITF ) that was rebuilt to a $ 4.8 billion reserve after the last recession . While the economy slowly recovers , how the state rebuilds that fund will have a dramatic impact on manufacturing . MMA is working with policymakers to find solutions to bolster the UITF without saddling employers with even greater tax burdens .
Yet there are some working in the opposite direction : Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Democrats have repeatedly called for a permanent extension of state unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks , a proposal that would cost manufacturers $ 220 million annually .
Investing in Upskilling Manufacturing Talent
What Manufacturers Need to Know : Large talent gaps impede manufacturing competitiveness and economic growth . MMA is driving a multi-faceted strategy to deliver the skills needed in the 21 st century economy , with particular focus on the Going PRO Talent Fund .
After codifying the enormously popular and effective Going PRO Talent Fund program in statute , working to improve the flexibility of the training criteria and securing additional dollars for employer-driven training , MMA is pushing the state to invest even more .
Recruiting and hiring candidates with the right skillsets to match the position has become one the biggest challenges for Michigan manufacturers . The state needs a greater pipeline for talent development to help the manufacturing sector to grow and employ more people .
— David K . Schmidt President & COO Alro Steel Corporation
“ We are happy to see that the Governor is seeking $ 43 million in her fiscal year 2020-2021 executive budget recommendation ,” said David Worthams , MMA Director of Human Resource Policy and MMA ’ s lead on legislative initiatives aimed at closing the skills gap . “ The $ 15 million increase — thanks in part to a one-time appropriation of $ 15 million in workforce development funds — is indicative of MMA ’ s success in showing the great things that Going PRO is doing in the state .”