The Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate, a growing alliance of taxpayers, local governments, and law enforcement officials, will hold a press conference February 8 at 11:00 a.m. in Room #351 (House Appropriations Room) at the State Capitol to call upon Governor Granholm and the State Legislature to oppose a proposal that would provide automatic, guaranteed annual increases in education funding.

Speaking at the press conference will be: Jim Barrett, President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce; State Rep. Scott Hummel, Chair, House Appropriations Committee; Larry Merrill, Executive Director, Michigan Townships Associations; and Kathy Feldpausch, Senior Vice President, Michigan Association of REALTORS®.

Members of the Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate (as of 2/7/06) include:

  Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce     Michigan Restaurant Association
  Jared Rodriguez, (616) 771-0359           Andy Deloney, (517) 377-3931

  Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police  Michigan Soft Drink Association
  Chief Ervin Portis, President             Bill Lobenherz, (517) 371-4499
  (517) 788-4127

  Michigan Association of Counties          Michigan Townships Association
  Tom Hickson, (517) 372-5374               David Bertram, (517) 321-6467

  Michigan Association of Home Builders     Police Officers Association of
  Dawn Crandall, (517) 322-0224             Michigan
                                            Ken Grabowksi, (313) 937-9000

  Michigan Association of REALTORS®       Small Business Association of
  Bill Martin, (517) 372-8890               Michigan
                                            Rob Fowler, (517) 482-8788

  Michigan Chamber of Commerce              Michigan Osteopathic Association
  Tricia Kinley, (517) 371-7669             Doug Borruso, (517) 347-1555

  Michigan Municipal League
  Arnold Weinfeld, (517) 485-1314

SOURCE: Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate

CONTACT: Tricia Kinley of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, +1-517-371-2100

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