The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today released the Job Providers Index (JPI) for the 2003-2004 legislative session.

Jim Barrett, Michigan Chamber President & CEO, said that 38 members of the State House of Representatives received "earned endorsements" by achieving a score of 75 percent or better on roll call votes on key economic issues over the past 18 months.

The 2003-2004 Job Providers Index covers a wide range of business issues. This year, the voting record in the State House includes 21 key votes on topics including: education, environmental quality, human resources, regulatory affairs, tax policy and tort reform. The voting record in the Michigan Senate consists of 19 key votes on similar issues.

"The 38 members of the State House who have achieved earned endorsements have demonstrated their commitment to improving business investment and job opportunities in the state and deserve the support of Michigan's job providers," said Barrett.

Survey research has shown that the Michigan Chamber's endorsement is one of the most important a candidate can receive.

The complete Michigan Chamber's 2003-2004 Job Providers Index is available on the Chamber's website at http://www.michamber.com/ .

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 7,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

  Michigan Chamber of Commerce
  State House 2004 Earned Endorsements

  Dan Acciavatti (32nd District)             90%
  Fran Amos (43rd District)                  95%
  Jack Brandenburg (24th District)           85%
  Tom Casperson (108th District)             90%
  Bruce Caswell (58th District)              86%
  Craig DeRoche (38th District)              95%
  Leon Drolet (33rd District)                76%
  Judy Emmons (70th District)                90%
  David Farhat (91st District)               95%
  Ed Gaffney (1st District)                  81%
  John Garfield (45th District)              90%
  Jacob Hoogendyk (61st District)            86%
  Bill Huizenga (90th District)              95%
  Scott Hummel (93rd District)               86%
  Joe Hune (47th District)                   81%
  Jerry Kooiman (75th District)              81%
  Philip LaJoy (21st District)              100%
  Tom Meyer (84th District)                  95%
  Matt Milosch (55th District)               90%
  John Moolenaar (98th District)            100%
  Gary Newell (87th District)                90%
  Neil Nitz (78th District)                  90%
  Mike Nofs (62nd District)                  81%
  Brian Palmer (36th District)               95%
  David Palsrok (101st District)             95%
  John Pastor (19th District)                81%
  David Robertson (51st District)            90%
  Rick Shaffer (59th District)               90%
  Fulton Sheen (88th District)               90%
  John Stahl (82nd District)                 90%
  John Stakoe (44th District)                86%
  Glenn Steil, Jr. (72nd District)           95%
  Shelley Goodman Taub (40th District)       95%
  Barb Vander Veen (89th District)           89%
  William Van Regenmorter (74th District)    89%
  Howard Walker (104th District)             90%
  Chris Ward (66th District)                 95%
  Lorence Wenke (63rd District)              90%

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Jim Barrett or Bob LaBrant of Michigan Chamber of Commerce,
+1-517-371-2100

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/