This week, the Detroit Regional Chamber took steps at the state and federal levels to protect businesses in Michigan. In both the Michigan Legislature and the U.S. Congress, there have been ongoing discussions to put government spending on the backs of businesses.
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has floated raising the corporate income tax to fund roads. During a time when businesses are already paying more for materials, labor, and interest rates, this unprecedented jump in costs is a direct threat to the competitive business climate in Michigan. There have been concerns that the House Republicans are also on board with raising the taxes on the Michigan economy, prompting the Chamber’s Public Policy and Business Advocacy team to lobby legislators to oppose any increase in the corporate income tax.
These conversations are ongoing, and Chamber members are encouraged to communicate with their elected officials on the importance of maintaining the corporate income tax at 6% and addressing the issues with the ESTA implementation on Feb. 21.
At the nation’s capital, there are ongoing discussions about the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which President Donald Trump passed in his first presidential term. The Chamber will advocate for key provisions in this language, including maintaining the TCJA as a current-policy baseline, keeping the corporate tax levels at the 2017 level, maintaining the state and local tax cap, and protecting pass-through income deductions. With pressure from fiscal conservatives and deficit hawks, Congress began conversations on which provisions to keep and remove, as Trump’s first budget is set to lay the groundwork for 2026 in the coming weeks.
The Chamber’s Tax Policy Committee hosted the U.S. Chamber in November 2024, where members were able to share their key concerns with the new administration and learn more about the future of the TCJA.