Tell us your Michigan Business Tax experience
MRA is receiving stories from members about hefty increases in their tax bills under the new Michigan Business Tax, which replaced the Single Business Tax. In order to help improve the tax outlook for retailers, MRA is collecting more stories of similar problems with the MBT. Please e-mail MRA Governmental Affairs Director Eric Rule at errule@retailers.com.
Spring is in the air
The House is on spring break for two weeks and will return on April 8. The Senate continued to meet this week and will be taking a two-week break starting today. It will return April 15.
During the break, some committees and workgroups will meet on a limited basis. When the chambers return, they will continue to work on budgets, as most spending bills have cleared the first chamber and will be poised for committee action in the second chamber. Legislators hope the upcoming session will be wrapped up sometime in June so that House members will have time to campaign prior to the August primary and the November general election.
Tourism funding sees increase
The tourism industry and related businesses got a much-needed boost this week when the Senate unanimously passed a package, sponsored by Sen. Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) and Sen. Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit), securing an additional $50 million for tourism in Michigan.
While the additional money will probably not be in time to secure cable TV ad placement by May for the Pure Michigan campaign, the funding should allow Tourism Michigan to restore its marketing presence in all existing markets and move into new ones in time to promote the 2008 summer season. Additionally, of the $50 million, $15 million will go for business promotion in the state.
Just prior to its passage, it appeared the package might only pass along party lines, necessitating further negotiation on a final version. Legislative leaders, along with Governor Jennifer Granholm’s office, were able to come together and pass a bipartisan package that should pass in the House and receive the governor’s signature. Small details still remain to be worked out, but passage is good news for businesses in Northern Michigan and throughout the state.
Blue Cross bills will be held over through break
The package of bills aimed at reform of the individual health insurance market—affectionately known as the Blues Bills—remain stalled in the Senate Health Policy Committee. The bills sailed through the House last fall, but several members later mentioned they weren’t sure what the bills actually would do.
The more deliberative approach in the Senate is allowing members and interested groups to debate the bills, stalling them until after spring break. If the bills don’t move in the Senate soon, they could become election-season political fodder and be held up indefinitely, or have to wait until the lame duck period after the election.
KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:
SB 1230, sponsored by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac), to allow for reduction of surcharge rate under certain circumstances.
HB 5895, sponsored by Rep. Ed Clemente (D-Lincoln Park), to expand property tax abatements for distribution centers, research and development centers and headquarter facilities.
HB 5896, sponsored by Rep. Clemente, to exempt new personal property of certain eligible taxpayers.
HB 5900, sponsored by Rep. Paul Condino (D-Southfield), to provide time off from work to attend certain court proceedings to victims of felonies.
HB 5901, sponsored by Rep. Marc Corriveau (D-Northville), to provide time of from work to attend certain court proceedings to victims of serious misdemeanors.
HB 5902, sponsored by Rep. Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw), to provide time off from work to attend certain court proceedings to victims of juvenile offenders.
HB 5917, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Farrah (D-Southgate), to create Michigan fireworks safety act.
HB 5918, sponsored by Rep. Farrah, to enact sentencing guidelines for Michigan fireworks safety act violations.
HB 5924, sponsored by Rep. Steve Bieda (D-Warren), to provide for exclusion of payments to independent contractors by realtors from gross receipts.
HB 5925, sponsored by Rep. Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga), to provide for issuance of small distiller license.
If you would like to receive Governmental Affairs News via e-mail, please contact
Kathleen Wilson at 517.372.5656 or
kawilson@retailers.com.
For back issues of online Governmental Affairs News, visit MRA's main Governmental Affairs News 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
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