Bulletins

Legislative

Why the New International Trade Crossing is Good for the Heavy Construction Industry

Governor Snyder’s Administration challenged the heavy construction industry at the MITA Annual Conference to join as partners in lobbying state legislators in support of a new international bridge to Canada.  MITA has taken that challenge seriously and is asking members to contact their legislators.  But, why is a New International
Legislative

Snyder Unveils Business Tax Concept: 6% on ‘C’ Corps Only

MITA is seeking feedback on Gov. Snyder’s MBT plan. Michigan “C” corporations would be taxed 6 percent on their business income, with almost no deductions or credits to reduce their tax, under a draft proposal for a new Michigan business tax prepared by Governor Rick Snyder and obtained by Gongwer
Legislative

Snyder Administration Issues Challenge to MITA Members

Gov. Snyder’s newly appointed director of strategy, Bill Rustem, called on MITA members to offer legislative support for the governor’s proposal to build a new international crossing in Detroit. Speaking at the MITA annual conference at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Rustem challenged the heavy construction industry to stand
Engineering

REMINDER – Temporary Concrete Barrier – December 31, 2011 Deadline Looms

According to MDOT’s Frequently Used Special Provision for Temporary Concrete Barrier, all temporary concrete barrier (TCB) in service after December 31, 2011, must be NCHRP 350 compliant. MDOT currently allows the use of “old” TCB sections manufactured prior to September 1, 2006 that meet the requirements of Standard Plan R-52
Legislative

State House/Senate Appoint Members to Key Legislative Committees

On the day that legislators were being sworn into office, House Speaker Jase Bolger announced committee assignments for the 2011-12 session.  Legislators serving on these key committees will have a great deal of influence on issues of importance to the heavy construction industry. The House Transportation Committee will meet on
Legislative

Construction Companies Likely To Be Stuck With U.I. Tax Interest Payments

Efforts in Washington to block a requirement that some Michigan companies pay interest on their unemployment taxes have failed.  Now some 54,000 companies in the state, including many construction companies, will have to pay the additional tax beginning this year. Michigan is the first state that has to pay the
Legislative

MITA Legislative Update – GOP Votes to Change House Rules to Allow Cuts to Highway Funding

On Tuesday, the House Republican Conference met to consider a rules package that will govern how issues can be addressed in the 112th Congress (2011-2012).  Among the proposed rules is a repeal of the guaranteed funding requirement for annual federal highway investment and the House point of order that enforces
Legislative

Personal Property Tax Prime for Repeal

Conflict over industrial personal property tax exemptions and confusion over who should get such breaks has spurred thousands of court and administrative appeals and moved the elimination of the personal property tax to the top of the agenda for many business and political leaders Taxing authorities have said only property
Legislative

Lame Duck Session Concludes for 2010; Key Bills Sent to Governor; New Leaders Named

As the sun slowly began to appear on the horizon this morning, the state House and Senate ended an all-night marathon session and concluded their work for the remainder of 2010. A valiant push by MITA members and staff in the last few months to spur Lame Duck action on
Engineering

MDOT Addenda – Long Sought New Look

Progress is being made… We’re hopeful, you noticed the new Notice to Bidder document (titled “NTB Addenda Markup”) that appeared on a few advertised projects for the November 2010 lettings. MITA members should recall from previous engineering updates, that the highlighting of addenda changes has been a hot topic of
Legislative

Tidal Wave Crashes on MI Political Landscape, Republicans Sweep

Tuesday night’s election returns are something we may not see again in our lifetimes. Republicans swept all statewide offices including Rick Snyder being elected governor, Bill Schuette being elected attorney general and Ruth Johnson elected as secretary of state. Republicans gained a supermajority of as many as 26 seats in
Labor

Op Engineers Ratification of Table Agreement for Underground Construction: Delayed until September 9

Operating Engineers Ratification of Table Agreement for Underground Construction: Delayed until September 9th The Operating Engineers ratification meeting for the recently negotiated agreement between MITA and Operating Engineers, Local 324 for underground construction will not be held until September 9, 2010. Although the leadership of the union does anticipate an