Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on May 1, 2003, to increase the state tax on Detroit casinos, from 18 percent to 36 percent, and to allow horse racing theaters and betting at casinos. The higher tax and increased gambling is projected to increase state revenue by $90 million a year. Of this, 29.6 percent would go to Detroit, 47.5 percent would go to schools, and 22.9 percent would go to the state general fund. Because it would amend a law adopted by a vote of the people (authorizing he Detroit casinos), the bill would require a three-quarters vote of the House and Senate

The vote was 85 in favor, 20 opposed and 4 not voting

(House Roll Call 324 at House Journal 41)

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 No.4612. Senator Cassis' statement is as follows: I rise to explain my "no" vote on House Bill No.4612, increasing the gaming tax on Detroit casinos. A "no" vote is a step towards reducing the state budget. It's a step toward reducing a structural deficit, not contributing to it. I think a recent Lansing news site said it best. Increasing the casino tax is a case of hitting at another social leper--gambling--in order to satisfy their spending appetites. I, for one, envision another approach. Limit the spiral of increasing taxes, and keep Michigan jobs and the economy growing.

Taxes crush business...boy, who would have thought this would happen. Now watch as they all back out of building new casinos in the city. You would have to be delusional to think that this government won't REALLY whack em after they invest millions more. Maybe our tax crazy governor thinks "cool cities" are ones with no business left in them. Maybe more art galleries and no smoking allowed coffee shops. That ought to help them with their budget problem. Make the city a totally tax free zone and watch it grow. Less Government + Less Taxes = More Prosperity

Michigan needs those Casino Hotels to attract conventions and tourism. Nice Detroit Casino Hotels would quickly become powerhouses for tourism. Thats the way to solve the budget crisis. Build tourism. Michigan is more centrally located than Las Vegas and has much more potential tourism than Nevada. Nice Casino Hotels in Detroit need not worry about race track casinos. More than three nice casinos in Michigan would make it a destination. Michigan would become a destination if it built the attractions, no question about it. Millions of tourists from Cananda and the whole region only need a reason to take a weekend trip to Detroit. tourists are simply waiting for Michigan to get its act together and build.

Casino Hotels are Vital to a New Detroit. The rest of the State stands to gain from a developed Detroit. Detroit is Michigan's most underdeveloped resourse. With a stronger Detroit, the state of Michigan could lead again financially. Whats taking so long for the legislature to develop Detroit? Why not set aside the petty politics and put some muscle into developing Detroit? How many conventions and national events could have been in Michigan if the Legislature had invested in Detroit? The answer is plenty. Detroit could have put a competitive bid for the Olympics, if the Michigan Legislature had its priorities straight. Instead cities like Atlanta and Boston as stealing Detroit's fanfare and proper place in the business world. Its time to say enough is enough and for the Michigan legislature to help out Detroit and fix the State's reputation at the same time. Michigan has to much going for it to let other states out do it. More tax incentives to build tourism and housing in Detroit are needed. Developing Detroit would bring money to the State and attract more companies to relocate downtown.