Jim leads the discussion on Michigan’s FY ’26 state budget: how we got here, key changes and what it means for employers – from taxes, roads, talent funding, and competitiveness. Joining him are several members of our Business Advocacy team:

• Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy and lead lobbyist
• Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement and overall budget lead
• Randy Gross, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and Associate General Counsel and our tax policy lead

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion for the second and final part of our special series on tax policy. In Part 1, we explored what makes a smart, competitive state tax system and where Michigan currently stands compared to other states. Today, we’re shifting from that broad view to what’s happening right now – and two specific proposals that could reshape our tax landscape with far-reaching impact. Joining Jim in the discussion again is Andrey Yushkov, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy housed at the Tax Foundation!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into one of Michigan’s most critical infrastructure projects – the Great Lakes Tunnel – to replace a portion of the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac that delivers the fuel that keeps homes and businesses running and Michigan’s economy moving.

With the Army Corps of Engineers recently releasing its long-awaited draft Environmental Impact Statement, it’s a key milestone in moving forward.  We’re going to take a deeper dive into what the latest is and what it all means for our energy reliability, economic security, job creation, and protecting the Great Lakes.

Joining him in the discussion are:
- Anna Mooney, Manager of Government Relations for Enbridge - the owner and operator of Line 5 and the company committed to investing in and building the Great Lakes Tunnel
- Mike Smith, Executive Director for the Upper Peninsula Construction Council - a labor group of quality construction contractors and building trades professionals
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion for a special two-part series on tax policy as discussion heats up on two big proposals. Our first episode explores what makes a state tax system competitive and how Michigan stacks up nationally. To get that insight and overview we’re going to be talking with Andrey Yushkov, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy housed at the Tax Foundation - a nonprofit organization that’s earned a reputation for its independence and credibility in this incredibly important area!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on on a new House Oversight Committee and process aiming to improve Michigan government efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Joining him in the discussion are two of the elected officials and one of our business advocacy leads on the frontlines of study and change:

- Rep. Matthew Bierlein from Tuscola County in the Thumb, Vice Chair of the House Oversight Committee and serving or chairing some of these subcommittees too
- Rep. Angela Rigas from West Michigan, and a member of the House Oversight Committee who is chairing or vice chairing related subcommittees
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a policy issue that’s been plaguing the Great Lakes State for decades and no stranger to this podcast too – our roads. Chronic underfunding of road maintenance and rebuilding has led to Michigan having some of the worst transportation infrastructure in the country. So what can pave the way for change and effective, meaningful and sustainable solutions?

Joining him in the discussion are three people steeped in these issues and who’ll help us break down the latest proposals to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges:
- Lance Binoniemi, VP of Government Affairs for the Michigan Transportation & Infrastructure Assn
- Ed Noyola, Chief Deputy and Legislative Director of the County Road Assn of Michigan
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs

Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the Michigan Chamber leads the discussion on the biggest HR and employment law issues and trends affecting the workplace today and what employers need to know.

Joining her in the discussion are:
- Ashleigh Draft, Labor and Employment Attorney at Varnum - one of the state’s leading law firms
- Monica Lloyd, Founder of PeopleForward - a great HR engagement, strategy and development firm

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on one of our signature events for the year: 2025 Chamber Day - it's all about pundits and pollsters. Policy and politics. And what the 2025 landscape looks like and what to watch in the upcoming pivotal 2026 election cycle.

Joining her in the discussion are:

• Alexis Wiley, Founder and CEO of Moment Strategies - who has worn some key past elected official and media hats
• Andrea Bitely, Dounder and Principal of Bitely Communications - who has also several front row experiences to fuel her insights.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a closer look at some myths and facts about something called the Corporate Income Tax or CIT, the current state of Michigan’s tax and economic climate, and how that all ties together.

Joining him in the discussion are two people steeped in all things tax policy and who’ll help us break this down: 

• Lynn Gandhi, Partner and Tax Attorney at Foley & Lardner and the Chair of the MI Chamber’s Tax Policy Committee - comprised of businesses of all industries and sizes from across the state
• Randy Gross, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and Associate General Counsel at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on recent bipartisan fixes to sweeping new Earned Sick Time Act and minimum wage laws to protect business and employees alike. Joining him in the discussion is Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Chamber, who knows ALL the ins and outs and was relentless in helping inform policymakers and making this happen.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, leads the discussion on Governor Whitmer’s 7th State of the State address before a joint session of the Michigan Legislature. What was in it? What wasn’t? And what does it all mean for Michigan’s business community?

Joining him in the discussion are:

• Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber
• Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, takes a closer look at the close of the chaotic 2024 legislative session and previewing what’s on deck for 2025. Joining him in the discussion are:

• Zach Gorchow, President of Gongwer News Service - one of our capitol’s go to resources.
• Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs - who was right in the thick of the action. 

Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on unleashing courage for women leaders. Joining her are a couple of special leaders who have forged their own unique paths. They are:

• Shaquila Myers, Chief of Staff to Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate - shepherding public policy issues for one of the top elected official positions in the state.
• Tiffany Dowling, President & CEO of M3 Group - a full service marketing agency she started more than 20 years ago and publisher of 517 Magazine.

Amanda Toy, VP of membership and partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the state of Michigan’s talent and workforce. Is it still shrinking and tighter than ever? Getting better? Evolving in different ways? Joining her in the discussion are two leaders at the forefront of the latest trends and best practices on this important issue that affects virtually every employer across industries. They are:

• Scott Ryan, Vice President, General Counsel and Sustainability Officer, @
• David Weeks, the Market Director for Southeast Michigan, Kelly Services

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on something called carbon capture – or decarbonization – what it really is, how it works and why it’s a fast-growing part of our environmental and energy future. Joining her are are three folks at the forefront of this work:

• Rich Bowman, Director of policy for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan
• Ben Grove, the Senior Manager of Carbon Storage for the Clean Air Task Force
• Mike Alaimo, the Michigan Chamber’s Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the 2024 election landscape and the intrinsic tie races, candidates and politics have in shaping and influencing our country and state’s economic sentiment and 2025 outlook. Joining her are two key policy and politics observers:

• Dave Eggert, the policy and politics reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business - our state’s largest business publication
• Jenell Leonard, Owner of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) - a full-service strategic communications firm

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on an issue many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about but that effects our daily lives in so many ways without us even realizing it - and that’s innovation, intellectual property, and patents. 

Joining him in this discussion are:

• Brad Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center

• Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Messa, the River Rouge Plant Manager for U.S. Gypsum and Sara Kaltunas – the director of environmental operations for the Packaging Corporation of America as we celebrate National Manufacturing Month and National STEM Day!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a monumental decision from the Michigan Supreme Court this summer on a paid sick leave and minimum wage case that has Michigan employers and so many workers alike reeling. We’re going to explore what happened, the numerous negative implications and uncertainty, and the efforts underway urging a bipartisan solution to soften the impact.

Joining him in this discussion are:

• Josh Lunger, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber
• Kelli Saunders, Vice President of Policy & Engagement at the Small Business Association of Michigan
• Wendy Block, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of some troubling signs on the horizon for Michigan’s insurance industry and for our state’s consumers, communities and businesses. Joining him the discussion are:

• Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan
• Mike Puerner, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer for Hastings Insurance
• Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber