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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOMA MICHIGAN Holds "Advocacy Day" Luncheon with LegislatorsFarmington Hills, Mich., May 12, 2004 – The Building Owners and Managers Association Michigan Coalition (BOMA of Michigan) rallied together making their voice heard in Lansing at the association’s annual Spring Advocacy Day luncheon with lawmakers yesterday. “The Governor and our Legislature face a number of economic challenges and we at BOMA want to offer our position on these important issues and to be a resource for factual information,” said Marilyn Wilbarger, President of BOMA Metropolitan Detroit and Vice President of Grubb & Ellis Management Services. BOMA members -- representing nearly 400 commercial and industrial organizations from across the state -- gathered in Lansing to address legislators on issues such as a proposed tax on services, small business tax (SBT), mold, funding cuts to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and land use – including “smart growth” and urban sprawl. During an open forum, BOMA members addressed their issues of concern head-on with key Michigan lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Rick Johnson, Sen. Jason Allen, Chair, Senate Commerce Committee (Econ. Develop, SBT), Rep. Dianne Byrum, House Democratic Leader, Ms. Kathy Blake, Sr. Vice President of Business Development, MEDC, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Marc Shulman, and Rep. Craig DeRoche. At the luncheon following, BOMA Michigan representatives met one-on-one with legislators to lobby for their key issues and toured the State Capitol Building. BOMA strongly opposes the extension of the state’s sales tax on services such as brokerage commissions, property management fees, advertising, attorney fees and a host of other services purchased by BOMA members. These types of taxes are generally regressive and are ultimately passed on to consumers leading to higher lease rates and less demand for office space. BOMA also opposes state initiatives to regulate mold and moisture or establish mold exposure standards that can be overly broad. BOMA supports state attempts to expand research on the mold issue through cooperative efforts with building owners/developers and tenants, as well as working with our state legislative leaders to ensure industry representatives are involved in any legislative initiatives regarding the issue of mold. BOMA does not support legislative changes to PA 141 of 2000 – the electrical deregulation act. BOMA believes competition in the electrical marketplace due to PA 141 has led to lower commercial electric rates for its members. BOMA supports efforts by the Customer Choice Coalition to maintain the competitive aspects of PA 141 and believes the Michigan Public Service Commission should accomplish changes to the act. “We came to Lansing to meet our new lawmakers and to voice our views on the many key issues impacting the owners and operators of Michigan’s commercial and industrial buildings,” said Bruce Babiarz, Co-Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee of BOMA Metropolitan Detroit. “BOMA is a political force in our state and we intend to be vigilant in watching out for the interests of BOMA members.” BOMA also announced that they would be presenting a “Lawmaker of the Year” award given in October to the person who best supports BOMA issues in 2004. BOMA Michigan, comprised BOMA of Metropolitan Detroit, BOMA Grand Rapids, BOMA Mid-Michigan, was founded as a formal alliance to act as a single lobbying entity to serve as the leading voice in the commercial real estate industry. BOMA Michigan members represent organizations managing more than 250 million square feet of office and industrial space, paying tens of millions annually in Michigan and local taxes. Their employees and tenants represent more than 1.25 million people in Michigan. BOMA Michigan has established a Political Action Committee Fund, known as the BOMA Michigan PAC, and has hired Scofes Kindsvatter & Associates as its full-time lobbying firm. With a 70 percent voter turnout, BOMA Michigan will use its members’ votes and PAC funds to make its voice heard on issues impacting members and their respective organizations. For
more information on BOMA, visit www.bomadet.org. # # # EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos Available. CONTACTS: Cynthia Andary
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