February 1, 2012

“UMA ON THE HILL”


TWO UMA ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS SEE ACTION TODAY

SB-11 - Department of Environmental Quality Boards Adjudicative Proceedings – (Dayton) This bill sponsored by UMA changes the DEQ appeals process to establish that appeals on permits or other agency actions will be a “record review”. The House debated the bill this morning and passed it 73-0. It was signed by the Speaker of the House and sent back to the Senate for the signature of the President. It will now be enrolled and sent to the Governor for his signature. This is a major win for UMA on behalf of all businesses required to get environmental permits.

SB-21 -- Department of Environmental Quality Boards Revisions – (Dayton) This is the second environmental bill sponsored by UMA but a much more complicated bill than SB-11. It restructures the five DEQ boards in size, make up and function. Senator Dayton substituted the bill on the Second Reading Calendar this morning and circled the bill waiting for a time certain on Friday at 11:00 a.m. to further explain the bill and call for a vote. This bill has been under construction for more than two years. This is a major priority for UMA in this session. It promises to streamline the board process and establish more qualified boards addressing key areas of interest to manufacturers throughout the state.

U.S. MANUFACTURING SECTOR EXPANDS IN JANUARY
Quick Manufacturing News
'Manufacturing activity adds to a volume of evidence on the factory sector's role as a stabilizing force for a still weak and uncertain U.S. economic rebound,' said MAPI. Click to continue

IMPORTS AT U.S. PORTS WERE UP 2% IN 2011
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Total traffic for all imports entering all U.S. ports finished 2011 up 2%, compared to 2010, according to U.S. import market data compiled by Zepol Corp. Shipments increased from 9.38 million in 2010 to 9.56 million in 2011. Click to continue

INDIANA SENATE APPROVES RIGHT-TO-WORK BILL
Today in Manufacturing
Hundreds of union members chanted "Shame on you!" as Indiana moved closer to being the first in a decade to enact a right-to-work law ... continue

MANUFACTURING EXPANDS AT FASTEST PACE SINCE JUNE
Today in Manufacturing
The ISM said bigger consumer spending, plus capital investment from businesses, drove manufacturing to grow for the 30th straight month ... continue

Q&A: THE MANUFACTURING WORKERS OF TOMORROW
Today in Manufacturing
In order for the U.S. to compete in the global market, the manufacturing plant or process facility must be highly automated on the plant floor to maximize efficiency ... continue