Michigan Manufacturers Want the Bridge, Urge Rejection of Other Issues

October 7, 2012
By: Dave Rogers

Calling the Nov. 6 ballot measures "dangerous," Michael D. Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturers Association urged voters to support Proposal 6 with a "no" vote.

"Vote yes on the first proposal, then no on the rest," said Johnston at a Bay Area Chamber of Commerce "On the Go" forum last week.

Regarding the plan for a state-funded "expressway to expressway" bridge to Canada, Mr. Johnston noted that numerous stoplights slow truck traffic in Canada. Citing rising automotive demand, he said the industry needs better connection to international markets.

Charging that Windsor Bridge owner Matty Maroun is "in a deal with the Tea Party" and has paid signature gatherers, he said the future of the state depends on better access to Canada.

The other proposals are being masterminded by out of state interests who are paying $5-$8 per signature to change the Michigan Constitution.

Citing the need for manufacturing corporations to compete with the lowest cost operations in the world, he said Michigan "needs to keep a welcoming environment for investment and job creation."

While manufacturing has been virtually written off as a dying dinosaur, he said it remains the largest sector of the Michigan economy amounting to 19 percent of the gross state product.

"This is a manufacturing state and always will be a manufacturing state," he asserted. "We have invested billions in Michigan and I never want to hear anyone disparage manufacturing."

Regarding the proposal to "bake" collective bargaining in the Constitution, Mr. Johnston said "employment law does not belong in the Constitution."

An auto union spokesman, however, expressed concern that if the proposal does not pass that the Legislature might adopt a "right to work" law that would hamper relations with management that now are mainly positive.

The energy proposal would "cripple the Michigan economy," he said, noting that there is "not enough land mass to add 3,100 windmills; they'd have to be in Saginaw Bay."