An overwhelming majority - 90 percent - of respondents to a Michigan Chamber of Commerce member survey gave state lawmakers a grade of "D" or worse on their overall job performance in 2007. Forty-two (42) percent of the 800 business leaders who responded to the poll gave state lawmakers an "F." Nearly the same percentage of respondents - 88 percent - gave Governor a grade of "D" or worse on her overall job performance. Sixty (60) percent of respondents gave the Governor an "F."

When asked, "What do you think is the most important problem facing state government?" the largest number of respondents (roughly 30 percent) said lack of fiscal responsibility and the state budget.

"Our members are deeply dissatisfied with the performance of both the governor and state lawmakers," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett. "The results of our poll strongly indicate that job #1 for the governor and state lawmakers in 2008 is to get state government's financial house in order by reducing spending, restructuring state government and avoiding tax increases."

"Many of the 800 business leaders who responded to our survey offered compelling commentary on the economic and regulatory challenges they are facing as job providers in Michigan," noted Rich Studley, Michigan Chamber Executive Vice President. "What they want to see from the governor and state lawmakers boils down to two things: competency and certainty."

"There is a window of opportunity for the governor and state lawmakers to deal with some key issues in the months ahead, like health care, energy and the Great Lakes," said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "These are issues state lawmakers and the governor ought to be able to tackle."

"It's time for the governor and state lawmakers to get their act together and take action to encourage job creation and economic growth in Michigan, like strengthening our state's legal reform laws," Studley concluded.

This poll is the second online statewide survey conducted by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce through its interactive web site, www.michamber.com. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business advocacy organization representing over 7,000 employers of every type and size in all 83 counties in Michigan. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

  Poll Results

  1. How would you rate the overall job performance of state lawmakers?
     A =  0%
     B = >1%
     C =  9%
     D = 40%
     E =  8%
     F = 42%

  2. How would you rate the overall job performance of Governor Jennifer
     Granholm?
     A =  1%
     B =  3%
     C =  8%
     D = 22%
     E =  6%
     F = 60%

  3. What do you think is the most important problem facing state
     government?

     Top 5 Responses:

     -- Lack of fiscal responsibility/state budget
     -- Taxes/unfriendly business climate
     -- Jobs: loss/creation/retention
     -- Economy
     -- Government reform/inefficiency

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Betty McNerney, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, +1-517-371-7663

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