Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on April 10, 2008, to grant a business tax break based on the price it pays for electricity to the Hemlock Semiconductor company and perhaps other producers of polycrystalline silicon used in solar cells and semiconductor chips. The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5524, which would end electric power provider competition in Michigan

The vote was 107 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 not voting

(House Roll Call 293 at House Journal 35)

Click here to view bill details.

Senator Cassis, under her constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of House Bill Nos. 5972, 5973, and 5976. Senator Cassis’ statement is as follows: House Bill No. 5972, House Bill No. 5973, and House Bill No. 5976 represent the largest legislative give-away to one global, extremely prosperous manufacturer of polycrystalline silicon, used in the making of solar cells and semiconductor microchips. The name of the company is Hemlock Semiconductor. At a minimum of $311 million to approximately $357 million, these refundable Michigan business tax credits will be subsidized by Michigan taxpayers, leaving a significant deficit in the General Fund in the years 2012 through 2023. Considering the state of all our businesses in Michigan that could certainly be helped with broad-based tax relief, giving so much to one company is unprecedented. For these reasons, I oppose these bills.