Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 5, 2003, to revise the law which authorizes recreational authorities to be created by several local governments, so that the districts could be organized along voting precinct lines within a municpality, rather than just along city or township boundaries. The authorities have the power to levy up to one-mill of property tax for swimming pools, recreation centers, public auditoriums, public conference centers, and parks, upon the approval of voters during a statewide general or primary election. The bill would also add “living historical farms” to the list of activities and entities which could be funded with taxes levied by a recreational authority

The vote was 106 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 334 at House Journal 56)

Click here to view bill details.

This legislation is not only an end run around Prop A; it is a dimunition of local authority especially with regrard to township government. Schools will use this to confiscate more of the potential tax pie to further their own bureacratic, political and self interests while inhibitng legitimate local government's ability to raise revenue to provide for the real health, safety and welfare needas of their residents. The tax pie should be small and sparingly used.