LANSING, Mich., Dec. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement by Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley regarding the current legislative debate on how to properly increase road funding.  

"The Michigan Chamber of Commerce applauds legislative leaders and the Governor for their commitment to finding a comprehensive solution to our road funding crisis. Michigan Chamber members have consistently endorsed user fee systems under which they would be making significant contributions to solving the problem. Unfortunately, during this critical Lame Duck session, several policy makers are advocating a destructive sales tax on services as a funding source. This ill-conceived scheme would cause great damage by unfairly picking winners and losers depending on political whims. Michigan tried this dangerous experiment under then-Governor Granholm in 2007. Under tremendous pressure from taxpayers, the services tax was repealed within two months.

"The Michigan Chamber urges policy makers to remain focused on identifying a fair and reliable funding mechanism based upon user fees to solve this critical issue."

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,700 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

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SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce