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The 2003-04 legislative session is over, the lawmakers have gone home, and we begin looking forward to 2005. In the past two years, the MRA government relations team was successful in enacting positive public policy changes as well as in defeating those that would harm our industry, and we are always pushing to get our unresolved agenda items to the forefront. However, since Jennifer Granholm was sworn into office as Governor in January 2003, we’ve also seen a number of our agenda items reach her desk – often with bi-partisan support – only to see her veto them.
While we allow the victories for the industry to speak for themselves, let us also consider what some others have had to say recently about the MRA.
In June 2004, WJIM-AM radio in Lansing referred to the MRA as “the very powerful restaurant lobbying group” for our ability to advance the legislative agenda of our members while also putting a heavy thumb on those ideas that would have a negative impact on our industry.
In October 2004, the Lansing State Journal echoed the sentiment and called the MRA one of the “powerful players” in the Lansing lobbying scene.
Here is what the MRA achieved in 2003 and 2004 for you …
Successfully put a stop to frivolous lawsuits against restaurants brought by individuals with obesity problems who are looking to avoid personal responsibility.
Successfully defeated proposals to hike the liquor tax (twice in 2004) and create a state death tax. Both proposals would cost restaurants and other small business tremendous amounts of money in new taxes – at a time when they can be least afforded.
Successfully defeated attempts to hike the minimum wage and reduce the tip credit. However, these proposals come back year after year and will no doubt be seen again … soon.
Successfully continued the defeat of a mandatory smoking ban in Michigan restaurants. The bill eliminates your freedom of choice to accommodate your customers while providing mile-wide exemptions for bars, bowling alleys, non-profit groups and private clubs.
Eliminated a 20-year state Treasury practice of taxing meals that operators provide at no cost to their employees during work periods. And in 2004, we successfully defended it when Treasury attempted to undo our efforts!
Successfully saw created and implemented a new vertical driver license for minors that can easily be identified by servers and clerks. These licenses have been proven to be very effective in reducing underage drinking.
Created – and defended – two new state Lottery games called “Club Games” to increase customer enjoyment at Class C licensed liquor service establishments. And when they came under attack in 2003-04, MRA was there to defend them. Members can call the MRA for information on “Club Keno” and “Pull Tabs” games.
Repealed a ridiculous rule that prohibited the display of illuminated signs advertising alcoholic beverage brands. MRA was the only organization that initiated and encouraged the action of the Michigan Attorney General to throw this rule out. Other groups claiming to represent bars and restaurants actively urged MRA to not pursue this action, and the same groups have since urged the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to adopt new rules making the signs practically impossible to obtain.
Successfully passed a bill bringing Kent County in line with the rest of the state to allows the transfer of an escrowed on-premises liquor license within the county.
Successfully ensured the new drunk driving standard did not drop below .08 or create a new impairment standard below .08, which would have criminalized responsible social drinkers.
Successfully defeated legislation curtailing access to billboard advertising and raising fees on those who advertise their businesses on billboards.
Successfully defeated legislation which would have required the installation of on-site breathalyzer equipment in liquor licensed establishments.
Successfully provided uniformity of alcohol sales times on Sundays for four counties in the Upper Peninsula. These counties are located in the central time zone and, on Sundays, are less able to compete for customers who can simply cross the state border into Wisconsin, which has less restrictive Sunday sales laws.
...and here’s what MRA successfully got through the Legislature, only to be vetoed by Governor Jennifer Granholm:
- Governor Granholm vetoed a bipartisan youth employment reform bill that extends the hours that sixteen and seventeen year-olds can work, allowing them to work up to 22 hours per week while they are in school, and getting rid of the current confusing system that sets the maximum number of hours on a district-by-district basis. The bill had strong bipartisan support and even had the support of the Michigan Education Association.
- Governor Granholm vetoed a bill prohibiting townships, cities and counties from enacting local minimum wage laws. The minimum wage is a state issue – not a local one – and legislation should be passed that bans local minimum wage ordinances. Despite their burdensome effect on job growth, the governor vetoed the bill and allowed the problem to continue to worsen.
- Governor Granholm vetoed a bipartisan MIOSHA reform bill that gives business owners greater understanding and certainty of what constitutes a “willful” violation of workplace safety standards. Currently, there is no statutory definition of a “willful” violation is as it is left up to state bureaucrats to decide. As many business owners know, a “willful” MIOSHA violation on their record could have significant negative effects on their operations. The bill also contained language prohibiting the Granholm administration from pursuing a mandatory statewide workplace ergonomic standard, which would be very costly for restaurant owners.
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