Here is an excerpt from my story published this week by Bridge Magazine:
sanctions, Michigan is among roughly two dozen states that have imposed their
own, state-level sanctions against Iran.
With a Republican majority in Lansing largely hostile to
the deal being promoted by the White House, state sanctions will likely remain
in place for the foreseeable future, even if the Iran agreement ultimately
survives an upcoming congressional vote.
way, Michigan will join Kansas and Mississippi in considering additional
sanctions to discourage companies doing business in the state from entering
Iran’s potentially lucrative markets.
In 2012, Michigan passed legislation that prohibited
companies with economic relationships with Iran from submitting bids on
government contracts. In addition, the state divested $185 million of its
pension funds from companies
including Royal Dutch Shell, Vodafone, HSBC and Nokia, for their
activities in Iran.
Township) stepped forward to propose an additional obstacle to doing
business with Iran – a ban on Michigan grants, tax breaks and tax
credits for any company with ties to Iran. Such a bill would specifically
target the incentives provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,
a quasi-governmental body.
 |
| Brandenburg |
In characteristically blunt fashion, Brandenburg called
the Iran accord the “most stupid thing ever” devised by President Obama and the
legislator said Michigan should make an effort to disrupt the process.
Some political observers may view Brandenburg’s actions
as a calculated step toward a run for Congress, as the veteran lawmaker
contemplates pursuing
the seat being vacated by Rep. Candice Miller in the solidly Republican
10th District. Yet, Iran sanctions have proven to be popular in red states and
blue states and have been signed into law by Democratic and Republican
governors in recent years.
Iranian regime range from GOP-dominated Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas to the
blue states of California, Illinois and Massachusetts.
News reports indicate that in more than half those states
with sanctions, including Michigan, the restrictions expire only if Iran is no
longer viewed as a designated sponsor of terrorism or if all U.S. federal
sanctions against Iran are lifted. The sanctions that will come off, if the
nuclear deal survives, will apply, at least in the short term, to Iran’s
financial and energy sectors, including nuclear.
