LANSING, Mich., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As a supporter of many items on Gov. Rick Snyder's agenda to reinvent Michigan, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce today expressed disappointment with his veto of House Bill 4326. The bill would have made Michigan more competitive with surrounding Great Lakes states by greatly improving Michigan's permitting and rule-making processes.

HB 4326, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Farrington (R-Utica), would have prohibited a state agency from promulgating or adopting rules more stringent than federal standards without legislative approval. This reform was prospective in nature and contained the added protection that in unique circumstances more stringent requirements would be acceptable when contained in a state statute or invoked by the governor through emergency rule powers. 

"Michigan Chamber members know the governor wants to reinvent Michigan, but his veto of HB 4326 is a hindrance to moving Michigan forward," said Jason Geer, Small Business Advocate & Chamber Partnership Manager for the Michigan Chamber. "HB 4326 did not take away any executive authority; rather, it ensured that Michigan would remain competitive in this global economy by restricting non-elected bureaucrats from unilaterally imposing job-killing rules more stringent than federal standards."

"HB 4326 did not endorse federal standards, but used that standard as a ceiling with the goal of not allowing rules to go beyond that point unless absolutely necessary," added Geer.

"Senate and House lawmakers recognized that HB 4326 was a key component in moving Michigan forward and approved the legislation with the desire to improve our economic competitiveness," noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "This legislation was drafted to ensure a fair playing field for job providers by protecting them from unelected Lansing bureaucrats wrongly asserting policy making powers."

"In order to improve our economic competitiveness, Michigan must continue to reform and remove unnecessary regulatory rules," Holcomb concluded."

About the Michigan Chamber:

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,500 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 1.6 million residents. One of every 2.3 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. 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 four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce