MSAE staff and volunteers just returned from a successful Fly-In coordinated by ASAE this past Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23rd and 24th. MSAE president Cheryl Ronk, CAE was accompanied by members Rochelle Black, Oakland University; Robert Dumont, Tooling, Manufacturing & Technologies Association; Christine Jourdain, American Council of Snowmobile Associations and Bonnie Bonchiak, Michigan Business & Professional Association.

Ronk and Black attended Senator Debbie Stabenow’s consituates breakfast, Good Morning Michigan, on Tuesday morning. The following morning they met with Sara Fitzwater of Senator Levin’s team.

On Wednesday, March 24th, MSAE met with nine members and legislative directors of the Michigan Congressional Delegation during the American Association Day luncheon. The luncheon was a great success with the presentation of the Sentinel Award to Congressman Vern Ehlers for his leadership in helping the association community over his sixteen years in Congress.

Overall, MSAE had meetings with fourteen of the seventeen Members of Congress and their staff while in Washington. Volunteers successfully delivered MSAE Online Directory logins to each congressman so they can view the member listing, plus volunteers delivered the Rossman 09-10 Lobby Guides. The MSAE group was also able to attend a press conference held by Congressman John Conyers Jr. on the Capitol Lawn discussing the immediate benefits of the Health Care Reform Law.

The talk on the Hill during the two days of visits was centered around the new Health Care Reform Bill. The legislation passed the House on Sunday. The President’s Bill signing ceremony was held Tuesday. There were different reports about what the legislation would do and how it would impact employers.

During a visit with Congressman Gary Peters, he outlined some of the specifics of the legislation. A briefing paper prepared by his legislative assistant, Carly Hepola, reports on how the legislation impacts small businesses. Many associations are closer in size to small businesses so we believe this document outlines some of the forthcoming changes that will impact our member’s business operations in regards to health care. As MSAE receives more details, we will share them.