KEY LEGISLATION:
Treasurer Says Businesses Not Backing Services Tax
Michigan Treasurer Jay Rising dismissed notions that
business groups have
been talking seriously of a sales tax on services in their discussion
about
how to restructure the state’s corporate tax system. He told reporters
that
they are not willing to propose such a tax at this time.
Rising did acknowledge that both Speaker of the House
Rick Johnson (R-LeRoy)
and the chair of the House Tax Policy Committee, Republican Lorence
Wenke
(R-Richland), have indicated an openness to discuss the issue. But Rising
insists nothing is either on or off the table at this point in the
restructuring process called for by Governor Granholm. Michigan, he
believes, has drifted away from a tax policy that served as a stimulus
for
capital investment. "We need to go back there," he said.
Medicaid Budget Underway, Tobacco Tax Revenue Desired
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Community
Health heard testimony
on the proposed Medicaid budget, and numerous groups seized the opportunity
to lobby for more funds or at least no cuts in their programs. Although
the
governor is proposing a 75-cent increase in the tobacco tax, in part
to help
fund Medicaid, that amount would not come close to satisfying every
group
seeking additional funds.
According to a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis, the governor
has recommended
depositing $577 from tobacco tax funds and her proposed estate tax revenue
in the Medicaid Benefits Trust Fund. These funds would not go to the
state’s
General Fund, however. Instead, they would be considered restricted
funds,
possibly to be used for such items as substance abuse services.
KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:
No New Bill Introductions to Report at this Time.
To view the content and current status of retail-related
bills, visit BillTrack,
MRA's legislative tracking database exclusively for members, at
www.retailbilltrack.com
If you are currently receiving Capitol F@cts by fax
and would like to receive
it via e-mail, please contact Kathleen Wilson at 517.372.5656 or
kawilson@retailers.com.
For back issues of online Capitol F@cts, visit MRA's main Capitol F@cts page.
Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin
should be directed to:
Kathleen Wilson, Administrative Assistant to the Governmental Affairs
Office at
kawilson@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.5656
Toll-Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
www.retailers.com
www.mallofmichigan.com
