The Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate, a growing alliance of over 25 taxpayer, local government, law enforcement, and healthcare organizations, will hold a press conference March 15 at 9:00 a.m. at the Michigan Association of Counties, 935 N. Washington Ave., (3rd floor), to unveil poll results that indicate a majority of Michigan voters would oppose a proposal to provide automatic, guaranteed annual increases in education funding. The coalition will also unveil its new Web site.

Speaking at the press conference will be: Tom Shields, President of Marketing Resource Group, and Paul King, Director of Survey Research for Marketing Resource Group, who conducted the poll. Also speaking will be Ryan Knott, Public Affairs Specialist for the Michigan Townships Association, who will unveil the coalition's new Web site.

A member list of the Coalition to Stop the K-16 Spending Mandate (as of March 14, 2006) appears below.

        MEMBERS OF THE COALITION TO STOP THE K-16 SPENDING MANDATE
                             (AS OF 3/15/06)

  Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce
  Brandt Coultas, (734) 214-0101

  Conference of Western Wayne
  Helen Foster, (734) 953-8834

  Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
  Jared Rodriguez, (616) 771-0359

  Health Care Association of Michigan
  Kim Ringlever, (517) 627-1561

  Life Insurance Association of Michigan
  Larry Kish, (517) 482-7058

  Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police
  Chief Ervin Portis (517) 788-4127

  MI Assoc of Community Mental Health Boards
  Scott Dzurka, (517) 374-6848

  Michigan Association of Counties
  Tom Hickson, (517) 372-5374

  Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs
  Dan Hagen, (989) 213-6641

  Michigan Association of Health Plans
  Christine Shearer, (517) 371-3181

  Michigan Association of Home Builders
  Dawn Crandall, (517) 322-0224

  Michigan Association of REALTORS ®
  Bill Martin, (517) 372-8890

  Michigan Chamber of Commerce
  Tricia Kinley, (517) 371-7669

  Michigan Grocers Association
  Linda Gobler, (517) 372-6800

  Michigan Health & Hospital Association
  David Finkbeiner, (517) 703-8601

  Michigan Licensed Beverage Association
  Lance Binoniemi, (517) 374-9611

  Michigan Distributors And Vendors Association
  Polly Reber, (517) 372-2323

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

  Michigan Oil And Gas Association
  Frank Mortl, (517) 487-1092

  Michigan Osteopathic Association
  Doug Borruso, (517) 347-1555

  Michigan Restaurant Association
  Andy Deloney, (517) 377-3931

  Michigan Retailers Association
  Eric Rule, (517) 372-5656

  Michigan Soft Drink Association
  Bill Lobenherz, (517) 371-4499

  Michigan Townships Association
  David Bertram, (517) 321-6467

  Police Officers Association of Michigan
  Ken Grabowksi, (313) 937-9000

  Small Business Association of Michigan
  Paul Bukowski, (517) 482-8788

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/