Mi Business Matters

Jim leads the discussion on Michigan’s FY ’26 state budget: how we got here, key changes and what it means for employers – from taxes, roads, talent funding, and competitiveness. Joining him are several members of our Business Advocacy team: Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy and lead lobbyist Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement and overall budget lead Randy Gross, Senior Director of Le...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion for the second and final part of our special series on tax policy. In Part 1, we explored what makes a smart, competitive state tax system and where Michigan currently stands compared to other states. Today, we’re shifting from that broad view to what’s happening right now – and two specific proposals that could reshap...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into one of Michigan’s most critical infrastructure projects – the Great Lakes Tunnel – to replace a portion of the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac that delivers the fuel that keeps homes and businesses running and Michigan’s economy moving. With the Army Corps of Engineers recently releasing its long-awaite...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion for a special two-part series on tax policy as discussion heats up on two big proposals. Our first episode explores what makes a state tax system competitive and how Michigan stacks up nationally. To get that insight and overview we’re going to be talking with Andrey Yushkov, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on on a new House Oversight Committee and process aiming to improve Michigan government efficiency, transparency and accountability. Joining him in the discussion are two of the elected officials and one of our business advocacy leads on the frontlines of study and change: - Rep. Matthew Bierlein from Tuscola County in...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a policy issue that’s been plaguing the Great Lakes State for decades and no stranger to this podcast too – our roads. Chronic underfunding of road maintenance and rebuilding has led to Michigan having some of the worst transportation infrastructure in the country. So what can pave the way for change and effective,...

Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the Michigan Chamber leads the discussion on the biggest HR and employment law issues and trends affecting the workplace today and what employers need to know. Joining her in the discussion are: - Ashleigh Draft, Labor and Employment Attorney at Varnum - one of the state’s leading law firms - Monica Lloyd, Founder of PeopleForward - a great HR engagement,...

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on one of our signature events for the year: 2025 Chamber Day - it's all about pundits and pollsters. Policy and politics. And what the 2025 landscape looks like and what to watch in the upcoming pivotal 2026 election cycle. Joining her in the discussion are: Alexis Wiley, Founder and CEO of Moment Strategie...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a closer look at some myths and facts about something called the Corporate Income Tax or CIT, the current state of Michigan’s tax and economic climate, and how that all ties together. Joining him in the discussion are two people steeped in all things tax policy and who’ll help us break this down:  Lynn Gandhi, Partn...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on recent bipartisan fixes to sweeping new Earned Sick Time Act and minimum wage laws to protect business and employees alike. Joining him in the discussion is Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Chamber, who knows ALL the ins and outs and was relentless in helping inform policymakers and making this ha...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, leads the discussion on   Governor Whitmer’s 7th State of the State address before a joint session of the Michigan Legislature. What was in it? What wasn’t? And what does it all mean for Michigan’s business community? Joining him in the discussion are: Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber Mike Al...

Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, takes a closer look at the close of the chaotic 2024 legislative session and previewing what’s on deck for 2025. Joining him in the discussion are: Zach Gorchow, President of Gongwer News Service - one of our capitol’s go to resources. Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs - who was right in the thick of the action. 

Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on unleashing courage for women leaders. Joining her are a couple of special leaders who have forged their own unique paths. They are: Shaquila Myers, Chief of Staff to Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate - shepherding public policy issues for one of the top elected official positions in the state. Tiffany Dowling, Pr...

Amanda Toy, VP of membership and partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the state of Michigan’s talent and workforce. Is it still shrinking and tighter than ever? Getting better? Evolving in different ways? Joining her in the discussion are two leaders at the forefront of the latest trends and best practices on this important issue that affects virtually every employer acro...

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on something called carbon capture – or decarbonization – what it really is, how it works and why it’s a fast-growing part of our environmental and energy future. Joining her are are three folks at the forefront of this work: Rich Bowman, Director of policy for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan Ben Grove, t...

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the 2024 election landscape and the intrinsic tie races, candidates and politics have in shaping and influencing our country and state’s economic sentiment and 2025 outlook. Joining her are two key policy and politics observers: Dave Eggert, the policy and politics reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business -...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on an issue many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about but that effects our daily lives in so many ways without us even realizing it - and that’s innovation, intellectual property, and patents.  Joining him in this discussion are: Brad Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy at the U.S. Chamber...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Messa, the River Rouge Plant Manager for U.S. Gypsum and Sara Kaltunas – the director of environmental operations for the Packaging Corporation of America as we celebrate National Manufacturing Month and National STEM Day!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a monumental decision from the Michigan Supreme Court this summer on a paid sick leave and minimum wage case that has Michigan employers and so many workers alike reeling. We’re going to explore what happened, the numerous negative implications and uncertainty, and the efforts underway urging a bipartisan solution t...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of some troubling signs on the horizon for Michigan’s insurance industry and for our state’s consumers, communities and businesses. Joining him the discussion are: Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan Mike Puerner, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer for Hastings Insurance Wendy Block,...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on affordable housing - one of the key barriers Michigan employers, communities and families alike are facing right now. Joining him in the discussion are: Jon Blazic, Manager of United States Gypsum Alabaster, Mich, plant. Dawn Crandall, Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Michigan Mike Alaimo,...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of an intended and irresponsible lawsuit from Attorney General Dana Nessel that has the potential to harm Michigan and the infrastructure that keeps our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses running. Joining him in that discussion are: Mark Griffin, President of the Michigan Petroleum Association and Michigan Associ...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of Michigan’s first statewide competition of the National Civics Bee and take a look at what’s next for the 2025 bee – and why it matters so much! Joining him in the discussion are: Stacy Bailey, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Okemos Public Schools Geoff Bontrager, Superintendent for Northw...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of water usage and management practices in the Great Lakes State. Joining him are: Emily Finnell, Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Michigan Dept of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Ron Burke, President & CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency  Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy A...

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into Michigan elections – an issue that’s front and center in a presidential election year like 2024, especially in a battleground state like ours – and a unique, in-demand way to get involved in our communities by being an election poll worker. We’re going to learn more about how to be part of helping run smooth, secu...