Great Lakes Wire

NFIB Michigan State Director Amanda Fisher appeared on the Jack O’Malley Weekend Update show to address recent developments affecting small businesses in the state. During the interview, Fisher discussed her testimonies before legislative committees and focused on how policy changes are impacting local business owners.

Fisher highlighted concerns about a 2023 Michigan Supreme Court decision that removed the “open and obvious” doctrine. She stated, “We are now only one of nine states that does not have this standard. Our concern is that we’re going to have these frivolous lawsuits and then they’re going to have to go to trial…but what that’s going to do for small businesses and probably a lot of homeowners, they cannot afford to fight these things in court, so they’re going to settle, and you’re already seeing a proliferation of trial attorneys who want to make money off from this.”

She also explained her advocacy for a cautious approach among lawmakers when considering new regulations or legislation that could affect small businesses. Fisher said, “It’s harder for them [small businesses] to absorb some of these radical policy shifts we saw the past two years…they don’t have the same margins to absorb more regulations or labor mandates.”

The full interview with Fisher is available online.