Leon Stille endorses Hansen for 34th Senate seat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE;
July 29, 2009

CONTACT: PETER WILLS
231‐342‐3772


HANSEN EARNS MAJOR ENDORSEMENT IN BID FOR STATE SENATE

Former 34th District State Senator Endorses Hansen for his old seat
(HART, MI) – State Senate candidate Goeff Hansen (R‐Hart) today announced that he has
received the endorsement of former State Senator Leon Stille (R‐Spring Lake) in his bid for the 34th State Senate seat. Stille represented the 34th District (formerly the 32nd District) before retiring due to term limits.

“Michigan is faced with some very serious challenges right now and I believe that Goeff Hansen is the best person to represent our interests in the State Senate as we struggle to turn our state around,” Stille said. “His experience as a local small business owner, combined with his determination to get the job done right, will ensure West Michigan has a strong voice at the table working for us.”

Senator Stille served in the State Senate from 1994 – 2002, where he focused on education and agriculture issues as the chair of the Senate School Aid (K‐12) Appropriations Subcommittee and the Education Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the Farming, Agribusiness and Food Systems Committee and member of the Education Committee.

“I am pleased to have earned the support of Senator Stille,” Hansen said. “As our state senator, Leon Stille worked diligently to protect our natural resources and farmland and provide for a quality education for all of our children. As your next state senator, I pledge to continue to focus on those issues as part of my priorities for our district.”

Goeff Hansen is the owner of a local family business and is currently serving his third term as a state representative. He lives in Hart with his wife Tami. Together they have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Senator Stille’s endorsement comes as Hansen announces over 200 endorsements from leaders across the 34th State Senate District. To see the complete list of supporters or to learn more about Hansen’s background as a family business owner, his voting record as a state representative, or his plan to cut taxes, reduce spending and grow the West Michigan economy, residents are invited to visit his website at www.hansen4senate.com.


Paid for by Goeff Hansen for Senate P.O. Box 167 Hart, MI 49420

Linkable site. To Hansen's E-Zone actual pre-bill doc.

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As I sometimes do I use this site as a dump site where I can put word docs and such so they can be linked to from my other sites. The following is from the Hansen for Senate committee and is a word doc. covering what the final bill will look like when enacted around July 14th. The bill will amend the Renaissance Zones bill, to include more small business' among other things.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be a Conservative

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Economic development; renaissance zones; entrepreneurial
renaissance zones (e-zones); create.
Economic development: renaissance zones
A bill to amend 1996 PA 376, entitled
"Michigan renaissance zone act,"
by amending section 3 (MCL 125.2683), as amended by 2008 PA 217,
and by adding section 8g.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 Sec. 3. As used in this act:
2 (a) "Agricultural processing facility" means 1 or more
3 facilities or operations that transform, package, sort, or grade
4 livestock or livestock products, agricultural commodities, or
5 plants or plant products, excluding forest products, into goods
6 that are used for intermediate or final consumption including goods
7 for nonfood use, and surrounding property.
8 (b) "Board" means the state administrative board created in
9 1921 PA 2, MCL 17.1 to 17.3.
2
02852'09 JLB
1 (c) "Development plan" means a written plan that addresses the
2 criteria in section 7 and includes all of the following:
3 (i) A map of the proposed renaissance zone that indicates the
4 geographic boundaries, the total area, and the present use and
5 conditions generally of the land and structures within those
6 boundaries.
7 (ii) Evidence of community support and commitment from
8 residential and business interests.
9 (iii) A description of the methods proposed to increase economic
10 opportunity and expansion, facilitate infrastructure improvement,
11 and identify job training opportunities.
12 (iv) Current social, economic, and demographic characteristics
13 of the proposed renaissance zone and anticipated improvements in
14 education, health, human services, public safety, and employment if
15 the renaissance zone is created.
16 (v) Any other information required by the board.
17 (d) "Elected county executive" means the elected county
18 executive in a county organized under 1966 PA 293, MCL 45.501 to
19 45.521, or 1973 PA 139, MCL 45.551 to 45.573.
20 (E) "ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS" MEANS A NEW, FOR-PROFIT START21
UP BUSINESS OF 100 EMPLOYEES OR LESS REGISTERED IN AND WITH THIS
22 STATE ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2009.
23 (F) "ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY" MEANS A FACILITY OR
24 OPERATION THAT HAS AS ITS PRINCIPAL FUNCTION THE RESEARCH,
25 DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORT, MANUFACTURING, OR PROVIDING A SERVICE FOR AN
26 ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS.
27 (G) (e) "Forest products processing facility" means 1 or more
3
02852'09 JLB
1 facilities or operations that transform, package, sort, recycle, or
2 grade forest or paper products into goods that are used for
3 intermediate or final use or consumption or for the creation of
4 biomass or alternative fuels through the utilization of forest
5 products or forest residue, and surrounding property. Forest
6 products processing facility does not include an existing facility
7 or operation that is located in this state that relocates to a
8 renaissance zone for a forest products processing facility. Forest
9 products processing facility does not include a facility or
10 operation that engages primarily in retail sales.
11 (H) (f) "Local governmental unit" means a county, city,
12 village, or township.
13 (I) (g) "Person" means an individual, partnership,
14 corporation, association, limited liability company, governmental
15 entity, or other legal entity.
16 (J) (h) "Qualified local governmental unit" means either of
17 the following:
18 (i) A county.
19 (ii) A city, village, or township that contains an eligible
20 distressed area as defined in section 11 of the state housing
21 development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1411.
22 (K) (i) "Recovery zone" means a tool and die renaissance
23 recovery zone created in section 8d.
24 (l) (j) "Renaissance zone" means a geographic area designated
25 under this act.
26 (M) (k) "Renewable energy facility" means a facility that
27 creates energy directly or fuel from the wind, the sun, trees,
4
02852'09 JLB
1 grasses, biosolids, algae, agricultural commodities, processed
2 products from agricultural commodities, or residues from
3 agricultural processes, wood or forest processes, food production
4 and processing, or the paper products industry. Renewable energy
5 facility also includes a facility that creates energy or fuels from
6 solid biomass, animal wastes, or landfill gases. Renewable energy
7 facility also includes a facility that focuses on research,
8 development, or manufacturing of systems or components of systems
9 used to create energy or fuel from the items described in this
10 subdivision.
11 (N) (l) "Residential rental property" means that term as
12 defined in section 7ff of the general property tax act, 1893 PA
13 206, MCL 211.7ff.
14 (O) (m) "Review board" means the renaissance zone review board
15 created in section 5.
16 (P) (n) "Rural area" means an area that lies outside of the
17 boundaries of an urban area.
18 (Q) (o) "Urban area" means an urbanized area as determined by
19 the economics and statistics administration, United States bureau
20 of the census according to the 1990 census.
21 SEC. 8G. (1) THE BOARD, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF
22 THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND DEFINED IN SECTION 4 OF THE MICHIGAN
23 STRATEGIC FUND ACT, 1984 PA 270, MCL 125.2004, MAY DESIGNATE
24 ADDITIONAL RENAISSANCE ZONES FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
25 FACILITIES WITHIN THIS STATE IN THAT PORTION OF A CITY, VILLAGE, OR
26 TOWNSHIP IF THAT CITY, VILLAGE, OR TOWNSHIP OR COMBINATION OF
27 CITIES, VILLAGES, OR TOWNSHIPS CONSENTS TO THE CREATION OF A
5
02852'09 JLB
1 RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY WITHIN
2 THEIR BOUNDARIES. A RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL
3 BUSINESS FACILITY SHALL HAVE A DURATION OF RENAISSANCE ZONE STATUS
4 FOR A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS.
5 (2) EACH RENAISSANCE ZONE DESIGNATED FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL
6 BUSINESS FACILITY UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE 1 CONTINUOUS DISTINCT
7 GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
8 (3) THE BOARD MAY REVOKE THE DESIGNATION OF ALL OR A PORTION
9 OF A RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY IF
10 THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY
11 DOES 1 OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING IN A RENAISSANCE ZONE DESIGNATED
12 UNDER THIS SECTION:
13 (A) FAILS TO COMMENCE OPERATION.
14 (B) CEASES OPERATION.
15 (C) FAILS TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION WITHIN 1 YEAR
16 FROM THE DATE THE RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
17 FACILITY IS DESIGNATED.
18 (4) THE BOARD SHALL CONSIDER ALL OF THE FOLLOWING WHEN
19 DESIGNATING A RENAISSANCE ZONE FOR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
20 FACILITY:
21 (A) THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON LOCAL SUPPLIERS WHO SUPPLY RAW
22 MATERIALS, GOODS, AND SERVICES TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
23 FACILITY.
24 (B) THE CREATION OF JOBS RELATIVE TO THE EMPLOYMENT BASE OF
25 THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN THE STATIC NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED.
26 (C) THE VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT.
27 (D) THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE
6
02852'09 Final Page JLB
1 ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY IS LOCATED.
2 (5) THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
3 THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS
4 FACILITY.
5 (6) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT" MEANS A
6 WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND AND THE
7 ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY THAT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED
8 TO, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
9 (A) A REQUIREMENT THAT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY
10 COMPLY WITH ALL STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.
11 (B) A REQUIREMENT THAT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY
12 REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND ON ALL OF THE
13 FOLLOWING:
14 (i) THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT MADE AT THE FACILITY.
15 (ii) THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED AT THE FACILITY AT THE
16 BEGINNING AND END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF
17 INDIVIDUALS TRANSFERRED TO THE FACILITY FROM ANOTHER FACILITY OWNED
18 BY THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS FACILITY.
19 (iii) THE PERCENTAGE OF RAW MATERIALS PURCHASED IN THIS STATE.
20 (C) APPROVAL OF THE BUSINESS PLAN BY A STATE RECOGNIZED
21 ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT RESOURCE AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.
22 (D) ANY OTHER CONDITIONS OR REQUIREMENTS REASONABLY REQUIRED
23 BY THE MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND.

Linkable site. To Hansen's E-Zone overview

>>>>>>>> edit <<<<<<<<<

As I sometimes do I use this site as a dump site where I can put word docs and such so they can be linked to from my other sites. The following is from the Hansen for Senate committee and is an overview, background and sallient points of Goeff Hansens soon to be legislative effort to amend the Renaissance Zones bill, to include small business'.

Regards, Live Dangerously Be a Conservative

>>>>>> end of edit <<<<<<<

Entrepreneurship Renaissance Zones (E-Zone)

Overview

The legislation creates an Entrepreneurship Renaissance Zone for any new, for-profit startup business of 100 employees or less registered in and with this state on or after July 1, 2009.

• The bill follows the general framework of what’s currently in the Renaissance Zone Act with respect to eligibility, geographic parameters, length of Ren Zone status, etc.

• No real property or personal property taxes, and no MBT, for a period of five years.

• MI Strategic Fund may designate additional zones; no limit.

• The parameters for legitimacy and commitment would include operational standards, local economic impact, job creation, capital investment, purchase of local raw materials and an approval of a business plan by a state recognized entrepreneurial support resource. i.e. SBTDC, SCORE, MSU Product Center, Michigan Works, incubators, etc.

General Points

• This bill incentives innovation and creativity. It encourages and supports our state’s small and start-up businesses.

o Ex. There is tremendous growth potential in fish farming in this state. The aquaculture industry can be a source of job creation and local food, and can evolve into a leading industry in this state. This new state financial incentive would allow us to harness Michigan’s greatest natural resource for everyone’s benefit.

o There are numerous small business services that are working every day to help Michigan citizens grow the economy. I believe this tax-free incentive for business start-ups can serve as another tool in the toolbox of economic recovery.

• Alleviating the burden of expensive start-up costs helps entrepreneurs speed up the process of turning their ideas into viable businesses, sharpens their focus on innovation and job creation. Emerging companies should be given every resource to increase their chances of success.

• The “Start-up Business Renaissance Zone” legislation is a strong, pro-active move toward encouraging and supporting our state’s small and start-up businesses.

• Small businesses are the engine of our economy. As a local family business owner, I’ve created jobs for hundreds of local families. I know what works and what doesn’t. I’m a proponent of entrepreneurial revitalization and believe that our current economic condition presents opportunity. In the 1970s, FedEx, Southwest, Microsoft, Apple, Genentech and Charles Schwab were started. Young talent migrated from previously lucrative jobs and toward start-ups.

• Excessive regulations, a burdensome and confusing tax code and high tax rates are stifling business growth and job creation in our state. Through lower taxes and less regulation we can encourage business development and attract new businesses to our state. New policies such as my Tax-Free, Start-up Business Renaissance Zone legislation will promote entrepreneurial efforts.

Background

• The Seidman College of Business at GVSU recently published a report entitled “Entrepreneurship Climate in West Michigan”. It stated that fewer people in West Michigan were starting up their own businesses. One of the barriers includes expensive start-up costs and lack of investment funds from either the state or through lending institutions.

• The process of starting a business may include start-up options, forms of business ownership, financing a new venture, financial management, selecting a location, marketing, regulatory compliance and understanding fundamental principles of business.

• Statistics, from the National Business Incubator Association (NBIA), indicate that new business create a MINIMUM of three jobs, including the “owner”, right at start-up. In fact, they are strongly advised, by business counselors, to seek out partners to cover the “trinity” of entrepreneurship – namely “Product or Service, “Marketing” and “Finance”.

• Summary of a major Kauffman Foundation survey on what “Entrepreneurial America” wants to see from government – it’s NOT what they’ve been getting:

Americans Want Government Stimulus for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship, Reveals New Survey from Kauffman Foundation

Americans want to see more initiatives that aid small businesses, like the $15 billion package unveiled by President Obama, according to a new poll released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

The survey, conducted by pollster Douglas Schoen, consisted of a random national sample of 2,000 Americans. The survey indicates strong public sentiment that the government should be doing more to encourage individuals to start businesses and create jobs, which is ultimately the long-term solution for the country's economic woes. Three hundred of the 2,000 respondents are entrepreneurs and 300 are aspiring entrepreneurs.

By 63 percent to 23 percent, survey respondents prefer giving individuals the incentives they need to start their own businesses as opposed to allowing the government to create new jobs directly or through big corporations. Further, as a means of leading the country out of the economic crisis, 63 percent of respondents say the United States government needs to encourage the creation of new businesses, which will create sustainable, long-term employment opportunities and economic growth, while only 22 percent favor the government creating new jobs in the public and private sector.

"These two statistics--which produced similar results--underscore the public's deep and abiding belief that the government should facilitate entrepreneurial activity by creating the conditions and policies that make it easier for individuals to take a risk, as opposed to the government itself creating jobs," said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.

More findings are available from the full survey, which is available for download at
www.kauffman.org/recoverysurvey. Other statistics about entrepreneurs and the economy are available at www.kauffman.org/researchfacts.

Fiscal Impact questions:

The fiscal impact is indeterminate. There would be no less impact to local/state govn't since they're not currently receiving this tax base.

• Within the last three years of a Renaissance Zone period, the Michigan Renaissance Zone Act requires the eligible entity to begin paying 25% of their annual tax obligation, followed by 50% and 75%. Under this bill, the first two years would be tax free and thereafter, the state and local unit would begin to receive tax revenue.

• The bill requires that the business provide an annual report of their activities to the Strategic Fund Board.

• The bill does allow for the city/village/township to consent to the creation of a ren zone for an entrepreneurial business facility.

• Also, if the start-up does not meet the bill's benchmarks, the MSF may revoke the ren zone.

• If the foregone tax base remains a concern, the MSF may consider this within the larger context of total economic impact of an "e-zone" within the community.

• If, for the first 5 years, these entrepreneurs can direct all available capital towards job creation and successfully executing their business plan, the foregone revenue from real/personal/MBT will have been worth it.