Opponents of recent proposals to limit new landfill construction and expansion argue the restrictions could end up hurting Michigans economy.

A need for jobs is one reason not to restrict landfills, said Mike Johnston, director of regulatory affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Association.

Shrinking the space in landfills would increase the cost of waste disposal, which in turn would increase the cost of doing business in Michigan and deter new businesses from coming here, he said.

Among businesses that would be most affected by this proposal are manufacturers, including the auto industry, and builders, which both generate a lot of industrial waste, said Russ Harding, senior environmental policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland. The center is a free market-oriented think tank.

Deb Muchmore, communications director for the Michigan Waste Industry Association, said that the public needs to know that most landfills are private businesses.

The government shouldnt be able to tell someone that he or she cant expand their business, said Muchmore.

Johnston agreed.

This is an assault by the government on the private sector, he said. This problem will resolve itself.

Muchmore said most of Michigans 52 landfills already have pre-approved space designated for expansion.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Kate Ebli, D-Monroe, said the main objective is to decrease the amount of out-of-state and Canadian garbage imported into Michigans landfills. One out of every three bags of waste dumped into Michigans landfills arrives from outside of the state, she said.

We should not be the dumping ground for other peoples trash. This is a beautiful state, and we need to be the magnet for 21st century jobs and not garbage, she said.

For the full article, see Tanya Bigham, Capital News Service, Opponents of landfill limits cite need for jobs in Michigan; Bill sponsor: Main objective to reduce out-of-state trash, Lansing State Journal, March 26, 2007.