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Sales and Use Tax Exemption Voted Out of Senate Finance Committee
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The Senate Finance Committee reported HBs 4350 and 4351 unanimously out of committee with 6 yes votes. There was strong support from the committee who recognized the states surrounding Michigan have implemented sales and use tax exemptions and the disadvantage that is creating for Michigan repair shops.
We would like to thank our bill sponsor, Rep. Bronna Kahle, and her staff for all of their efforts on behalf of the aviation industry! Additional thanks to Bill White, Aerospace Services & Products, and Greg Schmidt, Pentastar Aviation, for coming to Lansing to testify before the Senate. We’d also like to thank Kyle Lewis, AOPA and Dan Papineau, Michigan Chamber of Commerce for their support, and Steve Young for educating the committee members in advance. Our bills have now been referred to the Senate as a whole. Please know we will continue to keep you updated as the bills move. |
GCSI Ranked the #1 Lobbying Firm in Lansing!
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Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. (GCSI) has again been ranked the "best and most effective" multi-client lobbying firm in the highly respected 2015 MIRS/EPIC - MRA Capitol Survey by a 2-1 margin over the second place finisher. GCSI has been ranked the #1 lobbying firm in this survey every year since 2004.
In addition, GCSI lobbyists captured 2 of the top 3 positions in the "most-effective" individual lobbyist ranking. GCSI Director Steve Young was again voted the single most effective lobbyist in the State. He has been voted the top lobbyist in every survey since 2007. GCSI Director Mike Hawks was voted #3 most effective lobbyist in the State in this year's survey. In addition, many members of GCSI's lobbying team were ranked very high among the almost 3,000 registered lobbyists in Michigan. This bi-annual survey conucted by the highest ranked news organization covering the Capitol (MIRS) asks hundreds of lawmakers, executive branch officials, department personnel, lobbyists and association executives to rank the most effective players in Lansing. |
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2014 Marks 75 Years of Aviation Education at WMU
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The faculty, staff and students in one of Western Michigan University's most technically advanced disciplines are about to spend the coming year turning back the pages of history to celebrate their roots. Throughout 2014, WMU's College of Aviation will mark its 75th year of providing aviation education through what has become one of the top such collegiate programs in the world. The college's three undergraduate degree programs date back to 1939 when WMU jumped headlong into what was still an area of study and an industry in its infancy. The Wright brothers' first sustained flight had only taken place 36 years earlier in 1903, the year WMU was founded. WMU's college is planning a series of events during the coming year to mark the storied history of aviation at WMU. College officials say the first events will likely take place later this spring and the anniversary celebration will become part of many of the college's regularly scheduled events. The initiative to mark the 75th anniversary will formally conclude in the fall with a major celebratory event. In 1939, the Michigan State Board of Education authorized and approved Western Michigan to offer a two-year non-degree curriculum in Vocational Aviation Mechanics designed to prepare students for positions as licensed airplane mechanics, licensed engine mechanics, airplane factory mechanics and pilot mechanics. That same year, WMU began offering the ground school portion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, sponsored by the federal government, with the flight portion of the program contracted out. Both the mechanics programs and the pilot training initiative were under the direction of Elmer C. “Buck” Weaver. By 1947, WMU had established a four-year bachelor’s degree curriculum called air transportation, and by 1955, the University started its own flight-training program at the Plainwell, Mich., airport. The Kalamazoo airport was the program's home from 1959 to 1997, when it moved to Battle Creek, Mich.'s W.K. Kellogg Airport. In 1999, WMU's aviation programs were organized into the College of Aviation- -WMU's seventh degree-granting college. Today, the college offers bachelors degrees in aviation flight science, aviation management and operations and aviation maintenance technology to nearly 800 undergraduates.
Click here to view the Western Michigan University 75 Year Celebration Book. |
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Gov. Rick Snyder Declares September as Michigan Aviation Month
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The following proclamation was signed by Governor Rick Snyder...
WHEREAS, Michigan is home to 235 public use airports, 155 licensed aircraft dealers, 70 licensed flight schools, 5 aircraft manufacturers, 6,500 registered aircraft, and 16,000 licensed pilots; and, WHEREAS, aviation related activities contribute over $20 billion annually to Michigan’s economy and provide significant positive economic and quality of life impacts in Michigan communities throughout the State; and, WHEREAS, The Michigan Air Tour will take place September 19-21 taking the message of the importance of aviation to communities across Michigan and commemorating the first Michigan Air Tour which took place in 1929; and WHEREAS, The Michigan Association of Airport Executives will focus their 62nd annual fall conference on celebrating Michigan’s rich aviation history and looking forward to a bright future enhanced by the benefit of aviation and aerospace technologies; and WHEREAS, The Michigan Aeronautics Commission has provided leadership and sound counsel regarding the growth and advancement of aeronautical activity in the State of Michigan since 1929; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2014 as Aviation Month in Michigan |
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