by Jerry Fournier

2001 marked our 80th anniversary, and the dawning of a new century ? a century that is likely to bring about breathtaking developments and progress for our country. As the steward of the Michigan Restaurant Association during this year, I have worked hard to ensure that your association also progressed rapidly. Looking back at 2001, we can take pride in a number of our accomplishments:

• Adoption of a new law which, on October 1st, eliminated the sales and use tax paid by foodservice operators for meals provided to their employees;
• Defeat of a proposed increase in the cost of workers compensation insurance in Michigan;
• Defeat of a proposed increase in the federal and state minimum wages;
• Defeat of efforts to reduce the blood alcohol content (BAC) level legally associated with drunk driving;
• Defeat of a proposed smoking ban for bars and restaurants in Ingham County;
• Conducting our second annual Capitol Day event, where scores of foodservice operators from through-out the State traveled to Lansing to meet with their legislators;
• Returning more than $1.3 million to members insured through the MRA?s highly successful workers compensation fund;
• Increasing our membership to record levels, thereby strengthening your voice with our elected officials;
• Operating with a balanced and growing budget;
• Adding a key new staff position to provide expanded education and training benefits to MRA members;
• Revitalizing the exterior of the MRA building in downtown Lansing to improve our industry and association image;
• Adopting a comprehensive new three year strategic plan to guide us in the future.