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In This Issue:

  • 2020 Chamber Policy Successes 
  • 2021 Chamber Policy Priorities
  • Welcome Mark Blinn
  • 2021 Election Focus: Lansing and East Lansing

2020 Chamber Policy Successes 

There is no doubt that 2020 was a challenging year with COVID-19, along with a tough political cycle. However, your LRCC’s government affairs team served its essential role of supporting and advocating on issues important to you. The graphic outlines the policy priorities along with key areas of success our team has had on your behalf at the local, state, and federal levels of government. For any additional questions, contact Steve Japinga at sjapinga@lansingchamber.org.

2020 Policy Priorities Successes

2021 Chamber Policy Priorities 

The LRCC is continually working to make Michigan, especially the Greater Lansing region, the best place to do business. Each year, we survey our membership on public policy issues that they want our government affairs team to advocate. Here are some of the top public policy areas the LRCC’s advocacy team will focus on in 2021:

  • Jobs and the Economy
  • Talent and Workforce Development
  • Economic Development
  • Regional Infrastructure
  • Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability
  • Government Regulations | Local Government Financial Health

We listen carefully to members and turn member input into action through relentless advocacy. Our goal is to improve Michigan’s economic competitiveness as well as our region. Our legislative priorities are intended to help focus policymakers’ attention on Michigan’s economic challenges and offer pro-business solutions to these problems.

Welcome Mark Blinn

We are excited to welcome Mark Blinn to the LRCC team as part of the internship program. Mark will be working as our government affairs specialist as part of the public affairs department.Mark is an active-duty veteran studying political science and anthropology at Michigan State University.

Mark is a prior Aircraft Armament Specialist from Lansing. Mark holds a certification in leadership development and is a proud Master Resilience Trainer. He has chosen a life in public service and remains committed to the core values the Air Force has instilled in him. Mark is currently a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success, Students Veterans Association, and a Government Affairs Specialist at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is also the distinguished recipient of Achievement and Commendation medals for meritorious service and was awarded the Air Forces Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award. 

Favorite Quote: “The animal’s fear of the unknown dwarfed by its clarity of purpose.” – Caroline Van Hemert

2021 Election Focus: Lansing and East Lansing

This past year, we have seen firsthand how government regulations can impact business operations and how important it is to have strong relationships with our elected officials. During the 2020 cycle, the Lansing Regional Chamber-PAC (LRC-PAC) still was engaged in ensuring that we endorsed and elected candidates running for local offices to the County Commission and Township Board of Trustees, and the State House of Representatives and Congress.

95% (39/41) of our endorsed candidates won in November, and we look forward to working with them as we navigate the ongoing pandemic. Heading into 2021, the LRC-PAC sets its sights on our region’s two largest municipalities: Lansing and East Lansing.

How can you help? Both city elections will be critical to our region, especially Lansing’s mayoral race. We know it has been challenging due to COVID-19, but we are asking you to chip in to provide any financial support to the LRC-PAC so we can hit the ground running in 2021.