Senator Stabenow and Supervisor Barnett Give Updates at Orion Chamber Legislative Breakfast

(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 23, 2023)

Auburn Hills, MI – US Senator Debbie Stabenow has a number of topics on her mind as she represents Michiganders in Washington DC. She took some time on Monday to share updates with members of the local business community at the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast in Auburn Hills.

While Stabenow lives in Lansing, she has ties to the Orion area as her grandchildren go to Orion High. Her thoughts went quickly to them when she learned of the shootings at neighboring community of Oxford’s high school in November of 2021. “When I first heard about Oxford, with two grandkids at Orion, the panic I felt, it’s just too much.”

Her legislative work has long included concerns over funding mental healthcare and having common sense gun control. A more recent development is a ten year bipartisan effort to fund mental health and addiction and healthcare. In Michigan there are 34 clinics that have received funding to provide core psychological crisis services. She said that having clinics means that those in mental health crisis are more likely to get help rather than going to jail. It also helps cut down on the number of people in hospital emergency waiting rooms for those issues.

“Whether you have an illness above the neck or below the neck, you should have healthcare,” the Senator said.

Another aspect of healthcare is that of prescription drug costs.

“The US pays the highest in the world for prescriptions,” Stabenow said. Reducing those costs can happen through negotiation, and the passage of The Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices, with lower prices taking effect July 1. “There’s a cap of $35 per month on insulin for those with Medicare,” she said. “Some meds have up to $450 price rollback after July 1 because that’s how much they were overcharging.”

When asked about the pervasiveness of prescription drug advertising, Stabenow told the audience that has been a concern as well. She said drug companies can spend as much on advertising as they do on research. She added that much of the higher-cost research is actually being done at Universities rather than private corporations because of the economic risk involved. She said that since American taxpayers fund the bulk of the research, they should not be stuck with huge costs to receive the medicines that come it.

She said that when the Senate was discussing prescription drug costs, “there were 17 lobbyists for every one senator.”

Along with advocating for more affordable prescriptions, Stabenow and her team have their eyes on ways to foster a thriving economy.

Of course the pandemic was part of the discussion, with the Senator touting the 900,000 small business PPP loans to help keep businesses afloat during the months of precautionary closures due to COVID-19. “There were 50,000 PPP loans in Oakland County,” she said. “This is the role for our government in a democracy, to step in to support our businesses and employees.”

More recently the investments have been in infrastructure, education, jobs, and business attraction.

“We’ve had a strategy for years that is supply-side economics – we invest in the top and hope it trickles down. Now we’re trying something different which is investing in America,” Stabenow said.

“I don’t need to tell you – we’re doing construction. This is about investing in America and the infrastructure of America.”

Beyond repairing roads, the nation’s leaders are looking at the need for high speed internet across the country, as well as growing the availability of electric vehicle charging stations. Senator Stabenow is proud to drive her Orion-made Chevy Volt, but says there are still areas where stations are are still far and few between. She compared the need for chargers to the need for gasoline stations back when cars were replacing horses. Preparing for a shift requires thoughtful planning and investment.

The economy is also impacted by the workforce.

“We need to make things and grow things. That what we need to do,” she said. But the problem is there aren’t enough skilled workers to take on the tasks. “A four year college is great, but did you know you can go to school for a trade at no cost to you and get a well-paying career?”

She noted that at the local level, Oakland County’s Oakland80 initiative seeks to have 80% of adults in the county be equipped with either a degree or other trade certification. “The idea to get to 80% is just terrific,” she said. “Our economy needs a wide variety of workers.”

Another effort to support the economy has been strengthening Buy American laws for government agencies.

“Buy American laws have been on the books since the 1940s, but they’re not being enforced,” Stabenow said. She noted that it’s previously been to easy for purchasers to get a waiver. But legislators have come up with a solution. “We now have a Made in America Office,” she said. “We should be using the power of the federal government to purchase American products and services.”

There are also efforts underway to bring microchip production to the United States, including the Chips and Science Act. Recent supply chain issues brought to light that the majority of microchips are made by a single company based in Taiwan. Michigan was able to respond to the need, and several companies have announced facilities in the state.

Federal support to foster business development does make a difference, Stabenow said “I know companies who were literally on their way to Canada or on their way to Mexico, but they stopped and came back here… What we know is how we tax, and the polices we make, matter.”

Another way to build workforce is by attracting people to move to the state, including with laws that support an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all. “There’s a lot of states sending the message ‘we don’t want you,’ ‘we don’t want you.'” Senator Stabenow said. “I like being in a place where everyone is respected and everyone is welcome here… that makes us a very attractive state.”

The breakfast also included remarks from Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett, who welcomed the Senator to what is the 15th largest township in Michigan, boasting a $27 million budget and a team of 115 employees working on the residents’ behalf.

The motto for Orion Township is “Where Living is a Vacation,” and surveys of residents and businesses confirm that the motto fits, Barnett explained. In Orion’s case, economic development and investments in place-making have been part of maintaining Orion’s atmosphere.

The $4 billion investment by GM to facilitate electric vehicle production has been a huge point of pride for the community, and working with higher levels of government has helped Orion to secure funding so that roadways in the area can handle the increased traffic from GM as well as other new developments.

But it’s also the amenities that help attract companies and workers to a community that is thriving, but also has a relaxing feel.

The recent addition of gateway signage helps welcome people to the community, and a series of investments in parks and recreation opportunities tie in well with an area rich with lakes and trails.

Some highlights include the expansion of the beach at Camp Agawam, a fitness course at Civic Center Park, the Playful Dragon on Baldwin Road, Wildwood Amphitheater and their summer full of events, and trail improvements including the Van Tassel Bridge.

The Legislative Breakfast is an initiative of the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce to help business owners stay informed and connected with public officials. Over 50 chamber members were in attendance.

President and CEO Joyce Donaldson said “The Orion Area Chamber is dedicated to creating a healthy economy and building a strong environment for economic growth and stability. In ongoing efforts to achieve this lofty goal, we represent business to government, advocate for business friendly legislation. and provide access to local, regional, state and federal government.”