UP Gazette

State Rep. Dave Prestin has introduced a bill aimed at re-establishing natural resource advisory boards in Michigan, as part of a larger House Republican plan to support small businesses. Prestin, representing Cedar River, expressed his concerns about the current regulatory burden faced by small business owners in the state.

“It only took Gov. Whitmer and Lansing Democrats six years to implement enough rules and regulations to make every small business owner tuck their tails and run,” said Rep. Prestin. He highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses in navigating the complex regulatory environment in Michigan, emphasizing the need for support and resources to guide them through the requirements.

The bill introduced by Rep. Prestin is part of the House Republican economic growth plan, which aims to boost Michigan’s economy and support job providers. The plan includes proposals such as reducing income tax, cutting red tape to create a more streamlined regulatory environment, and increasing accountability over taxpayer-funded economic development projects.

Reflecting on his own experience as a small business owner, Prestin shared, “When I bought my truck stop, I called the MEDC to see if they had any programs for small business owners. The short answer was they don’t. They were too focused on huge corporations to spend any time helping the little guy.” He pointed out the challenges he faced with state regulations, which ultimately led him to sell the truck stop, and expressed concern for the thousands of small business owners in similar situations.

Rep. Prestin stressed the importance of reversing the trend towards excessive regulation to prevent the closure of small businesses. The bill to re-establish natural resource advisory boards is seen as a step towards providing support and guidance to Michigan businesses, with the aim of fostering a more favorable environment for their success.