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In This Issue

  • Rebuild Lansing
  • Lansing City Charter Commission
  • Federal Judges Order Quick Redrawing of Michigan House Map
  • State Legislature Returns to Lansing
  • Q4 2023 Michigan Future Business Index Survey
  • U.S. Chamber Small Business Index Q4
  • First Friday Public Affairs Call Update

Local Updates

Rebuild Lansing

2024 starts with an amazing and potentially transformational opportunity for the city of Lansing’s elected leaders to rebuild Lansing and invest in our shared mid-Michigan community. In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to you, seeking your active involvement in putting our plan into action. Together, we can create a better Lansing and lay the foundation for a sustainable future. Read more about the importance of rebuilding Lansing from Tim Daman, president & CEO, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce in the recent LSJ op-ed below.

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Lansing City Charter Commission

Lansing voters approved a ballot initiative, triggering a special election in 2024 to select members for a nine-person charter review commission. This ballot initiative passed 51.6% – 48.4% majority in the general election. It opens the door for potential changes to the city’s governance structure. This is the first opportunity for revision in 40 years.

The filing deadline to run for one of the nine seats on the Commission is on Tuesday, Jan. 23. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact LRCC SVP Steve Japinga at sjapinga@lansingchamber.org

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State Updates

Federal Judges Order Quick Redrawing of Michigan House Map

A federal court has directed the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to craft a new House of Representatives map by February 2. The court, led by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney, denied the commission’s request to postpone an injunction on the Department of State, preventing future elections until new maps are created. The court also rejected the plea for special Senate elections in 2024. The judges will release a formal opinion on the Senate matter, but the current order outlines a timeline for redrawing at least the House map. The decision follows a December ruling mandating the revision of specific House and Senate districts deemed unconstitutional.

This story was part of the action alert from LRCC Chamber member Gongwer News Service.

State Legislature Returns to Lansing – A House Divided

Last week marked the State Legislature’s return to Lansing following a two-month recess. The beginning of 2024 is poised to be intriguing as the State House currently stands at an even 54-54 split. This balance results from two Democratic state representatives winning mayoral races on the east side of the state. The special election to fill these vacated seats is scheduled for April 16. Until then, it will be interesting to see how much gets down at the State Capitol Building.

State Of The State Address – Jan. 24

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her sixth State of the State address at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24. The speech will be held in the State House of Representatives chamber in front of a joint session.

Ways to watch the 2024 State of the State Address

Business Updates

Q4 2023 Michigan Future Business Index Survey

Check out the Q4 2023 Michigan Future Business Index survey results. This survey was commissioned by the Michigan Business Network and Cinnaire and conducted by ROI Insight.

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U.S. Chamber Small Business Index Q4

The Q4 2023 MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index falls to 61.3—close to sentiments from earlier this year and in late 2022—and below last quarter’s score of 69.2. Small businesses’ declining view of the national economy and their local economy helped drive the headline score down. Learn more about the results of the Q4 2023 Small Business Index below.

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Stay in the Know

Join us every First Friday of the month for an insightful briefing on policy and political developments impacting the business community. Hosted by LRCC Public Affairs Senior Vice President, Steve Japinga, these monthly calls are designed to keep our members informed and engaged.

Key Highlights:

  • Monthly 30-Minute Calls: These concise and informative sessions are designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule, ensuring you stay informed without taking up too much of your time.
  • ZOOM Video Conference: Join us on the ZOOM platform for an interactive experience that brings the community together virtually.
  • Complimentary for LRCC Members: As a benefit of LRCC membership, these calls come at no additional charge. It’s our way of ensuring you have the information you need to navigate today’s dynamic business environment.

Stay tuned for the first call, and let’s stay connected and informed on the issues that matter most to our business community!

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