Michigan Chamber unveils legislative agenda (LANSING-MPRN) (Michigan Public Radio Network) - Officials with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce say improving the state's transportation system is one of their goals for the current legislative session. The state's business lobbyists say they'd be willing to support a 9-cent increase in the gas tax over the next three years to help improve the state's infrastructure. But Chamber executive vice president Rich Studley says the increase needs to be a part of a comprehensive package of changes, including a plan to build better roads than the state has now.

The Chamber is also urging the state to reject a recommendation from its top utilities regulator that Michigan boost the amount of energy it gets from renewable fuels. The business group says such a mandate would drive up energy costs. The Chamber's director of Environmental and Energy Policy Doug Roberts says they would rather see state incentives like tax credits for homeowners that install solar panels, windmills, and other renewable energy devices.
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