Great Lakes Wire

Michigan State Director Amanda Fisher addressed the House Economic Competitiveness Committee on September 4, 2025, providing an overview of the state of small businesses in Michigan. Fisher emphasized that small businesses are a key part of Michigan’s economy and noted they employ nearly half of the state's workforce.

During the session, legislators focused on how Michigan could improve its business environment by examining successful policies from other states. Fisher responded by suggesting that Michigan should review reforms implemented between 2011 and 2018.

Fisher identified economic uncertainty and regulatory or legislative unpredictability as major concerns for members of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). She also offered several policy recommendations to help support small businesses in Michigan. These included eliminating personal property taxes for commercial and industrial entities, making permanent an income tax deduction at 4.05% with further reductions where possible, reforming economic development policies to assist all sizes of businesses rather than just large corporations, providing exemptions for small businesses under the Earned Sick Time Act, reinstating Workplace Freedom (Right to Work), scaling back planned increases to unemployment insurance benefits while holding recipients accountable for job search requirements, and introducing legislative solutions for court decisions viewed as harmful or activist.

Fisher concluded her remarks by stating: “First, policymakers should first do no harm and strive for a stable economic environment. The wild swings of labor policy and economic development over the past 7 years have made small business owners more risk averse, dampening entrepreneurship.”

Slides from Fisher's presentation were made available online following the committee meeting.