

"Debriefing on State of the State" Recap 1/18
A 21st Century Infrastructure is essential to ensure Michigan's comeback, noted Ari Adler, communications director in the governor's office, who recapped Gov. Rick Snyder's annual State of the State address at Capitol Issues Forum Jan. 18.
The governor's goals are to improve 'hard' infrastructure such as water and sewer systems, roads and bridges, as well as the 'soft' infrastructure such as public education and the continuing revitalization of Michigan communities.
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Stamas, Denno analyze election results at Capitol Issues Forum 11/10
“The good news is the 2016 election is over,” said Tony Stamas, vice president of government relations for the Small Business Association of Michigan, who spoke alongside Dennis Denno, founder of Denno Research, at Capitol Issues Forum Nov. 10. “The bad news is the 2018 elections are now upon us.” Stamas said mass voter turnout of people who traditionally do not vote influenced results of the presidential election and that pollsters did not accurately measure enthusiasm amon


Sarpolus offers election insights, outlooks at Capitol Issues Forum 10/12
While the big question late in the election season seems to be, “Is it over for Trump?” in Michigan it’s, “Is it over for Democrats or Republicans?”, said Ed Sarpolus, executive director, Target Insyght, who offered “Pre-election Insights, Outlooks” at Capitol Issues Forum Oct 12. As Democrats and Republicans vie for House seats, voter turnout will have the greatest impact on results. Minimal in-state campaign efforts from presidential candidates and the failure of both Mich


Crain's Detroit Reporter Lindsay VanHulle, Capitol Issues Forum 9/22
Perceptions about Michigan as a result of The Flint Water Crisis may have an effect on economic development and tourism, according to Lindsay VanHulle, Lansing correspondent for Crain's Detroit Business and Bridge Magazine, who spoke at Capitol Issues Forum September 22. VanHulle covers Michigan's economic development and other business issues by following the Legislature, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state agencies. Understanding her audience's inter
Preparation, Honesty, Brevity Help Nail a Media Interview
Lezotte Miller's Chris Christoff takes the uncertainty out of media interviews with 10 tips on how to be concise, confident and polite. Published in the May/June 2016 issue of SBAM's FOCUS magazine. Read more here. #SBAM #LezotteMiller #LMInc #FOCUSMagazine #SmallBusinessAssociationofMichigan #mediainterviewtips


Bill Ballenger at Capitol Issues Forum 5/26
The Michigan voters have an overwhelming number of offices to vote on in November, said Bill Ballenger, editor of the Ballenger Report and longtime Michigan political pundit, who discussed “Campaigns 2016: What Will Happen?”. Ballenger pointed out Michigan has 9,000 offices up for election in November, ranging from the presidential race to state House seats to library board members. Michigan voters are overwhelmed with the number of elected officials they have to vote on, n