LANSING, Mich. – Recognizing state government’s role in protecting public health and economic vitality, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are recommending nine guiding principles that we encourage state policymakers to seriously consider as they develop plans to restart Michigan’s economy.

“State policymakers’ number one priority should be to protect the public health, but they must also acknowledge that businesses that can reopen responsibly with recognized safety protocols should be allowed to do so,” said Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber. “Ultimately, it’s going to be Michigan's entrepreneurs, job providers and their employees who will rebuild Michigan’s economy. Government can help, but we don’t need another new state department of economic recovery.”

In order for the state to recover, the government needs to develop policies that will allow businesses to reopen and employees to safely return to work as soon as possible. The Chamber and Center’s joint effort provides practical, commonsense principles that can guide policymakers as the state transitions out of this emergency and into a fast and full recovery.

“Government officials should also avoid playing favorites in developing policies for the recovery,” said Joe Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center. “Economic recovery efforts should be fair, broad-based and focused on making it easier for entrepreneurs to grow and for job creators to expand.”

The guidelines call for policymakers to create clear and consistent expectations for employers. Decisions related to the emergency and recovery should be transparent, accompanied with supporting rationale. Even though these are unprecedented times, policymakers’ role is still a limited one.

The guiding principles make it clear that there is no need to sacrifice public health for economic growth. A fast recovery is possible, and, with the right approach, Michigan’s economy can come out of this stronger than before.

You can find the complete list of guiding principles here.

ABOUT

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization that represents approximately 5,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. It was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. www.michamber.com

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan residents. Its policy experts develop solutions to state and local economic policy challenges based on fundamental principles of free markets, individual liberty, limited government and the rule of law. Headquartered in Midland, Mich., the Mackinac Center has grown into one of the nation’s largest state-based think tanks since its founding in 1987. For more information, visit www.mackinac.org.