Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on March 18, 2004, to shift the county property tax billing date forward from December to July, phased in between 2005 and 2007. The additional revenue realized by collecting taxes earlier will replace state revenue sharing payments to counties for the next several years

The vote was 23 in favor, 12 opposed and 3 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 613 at Senate Journal 86)

Click here to view bill details.

The Governor's alternative to replace the dollars lost from revenue sharing is definitely an example of Creative Accounting 101. This "shift & shaft" is no more than an additional burden on taxpayers, and is being cleverly disguised as merely a change in timing of payment for county property taxes. The State gets to tell the counties what they can and cannot do with the money, and the counties will be taking the heat from the taxpayers.

In essence the taxpayer pays more by paying 6 months sooner. VOTE NO.

I view this as a "one-time" additional tax burden on the taxpayer. In about five years watch for the date to be changed back to December....

Bottom line: You and the rest of Lansing made too many promises when you made your budget, now you're looking at those who actually work and pay the bills to make up the difference. Here's a hint: Try somewhere else! Instead of shaking down the taxpayers, why not crack open a copy of the Michigan Constitution somewhere in your office (try looking next to the pool table or even the video game) and see how many of those "essential" programs, really are essential or even authorized. This be be a great place to begin looking for items to cut.

Early collection of taxes is an INCREASED tax burden on our citizens. Why did we elect Republicans if they are not cutting wasteful State government spending. Do what every responsible taxpaying citizen does when faced with shortfalls in revenues. Stop spending money on unnecessary programs.

Dear Mr. Betrayal, Did you really read who proposed this new law? It was a Democrat,Mr. Michael Switalski,I am not sure that you read the same thing that I did.

I do not believe this bill results in a net tax increase. It does however mean more money out of our pockets in July 2005 as we "Pre-Pay" our winter taxes. I wish our politicians would make the tough calls we sent them to Lansing to do. Cut the spending instead of relying on accounting tricks to put a band-aid on our fiscal problems and push them forward.

I think Mom&Dad's point was not who proposed the legislation but instead expressing their disapointment in the number of Republicans that voted for this bill.

Senator Cassis, under her constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill Nos. 1111 and 1112. Senator Cassis' statement is as follows: My "no" vote explanation on Senate Bills 1111 and 1112 are these. What do gimmick shifts, tax increases, and slippery slopes have in common? Well, they are all a proud part of Michigan's 2004-05 budget-balancing act. Specifically, they also relate to the Governor's county revenue sharing suspension proposal which passed this body. Results? First and foremost, the accelerated tax collection, bluntly put, is a broad-based tax increase to all who pay property taxes. Secondly, this is the first big conceptual tweak to Proposal A. It circumvents the goals of Proposal A by reflecting a legislative property tax increase. Thirdly, this tax shift represents a restructuring of the tax code statutory revenue sharing responsibility, without going through the normal legislative process of hearings, debates, discussions, amendments, etc. In effect, the legislative process is bypassed and taxpayer voices are unheard. This also looks a lot like a slippery slope. Once the precedent is established, it can be extended to rationalize removing cities, townships, and villages from statutory revenue sharing. At a time of a fledgling economic recovery, any out-of-pocket tax increase has a dampening effect. Finally, the gimmick, shift, and tax increase does nothing to resolve Michigan's much-mentioned budgetary structural deficit. In fact, it increases and adds to it. For all these reasons, I voted an overwhelming no. It is not good public policy today, tomorrow, or 3, 5, 10 year from now. The previous administration SET acceleration was a one-time and one-time only event. It was also accompanied by a 1.0 mill tax cut, a benefit to the taxpayer. No such benefits result was shifting county revenue sharing responsibility wholly to the taxpayer.

Senator Garcia's statement is as follows: I would be remiss in passing up an opportunity to say that I will be voting for these bills, but I don't like these bills. I don't think it is the right thing to do to the taxpayer, but faced with the budget problem that we have, I feel like we have no other choice. But I just wanted to go on record as saying that I would prefer not to do this, but I guess we have no choice.

Cut back on the state spending like we taxpayers have to do when times get tough. Take a pay cut, go back to a part time legislature, or send all your jobs (politicians) to India, Pakistan, Mexico or somewhere where they pay minimum wages with no bennies.

Clearly, this is an action by lameducks and lawmakers who don't want to be in public service anymore. This will backlash on them soon if this becomes law.

Senator Garcia- You're a typical hypocrite. You need to be recalled.

There is always a choice. This is just a CYA. I will not be voting for Senator Garcia again. Sorry Senator, I voted for you because I thought you believed what I believe but apparently I was wrong.

Senator Garcia, Please explain WHY you have no choice other than to vote against your "overwhelming" desire!! Just WHO is holding what kind of gun to your head???? DaveGillie

Republicans typically support Limited Taxation and Fiscal Responsibility - you've failed on both these accounts Senator Garcia!!! Just like the citizens of Michigan that have to cut spending when balancing their budgets, so too, should our government! Your reply that essentially says, 'you didn't want to but you had to', is no better than that response coming from my children as a reason for buckling to peer pressure. I, like many of the other Republicans here, do feel betrayed by you and the other 12 Republicans that voted for this! Thank God for Senators like Nancy Cassius that apparently possess the male anatomy you appear to be lacking!! She had the courage to call this what it was -- a tax increase! Let's hope the House of Representatives has a little more sense then what our state senate had. We need to question the sale of the York Township property to Toyota for $9 mil and 500 jobs VERSUS to a qualified company that put a $25mil offer and approx. 1,200 new jobs over 5 years. According to my math Mr. Garcia, there's $16 million the state said no thanks to!! But we're to believe you have no other choices - that's one HUGE choice that needs to be investigated further. To make the situation worse, I understand the company that lost the bid is now filing suit. Of course, at the expense of the taxpayers. The hyprocrisy in Lansing is astonishing! You'll have a real hard time being re-elected should this fiasco go through.

I was astonished to find out that our Republican Senator, Valde Garcia, voted yes on this piece of legislation. What disappointed me even further is the Senator's comments refering to his having "no choice" but to let down his constituents by voting this way. I expect and receive more out of my four year old! I believe that this will cost him re-election, if he so chooses to run. Many of my family and friends who voted for him are extremely disappointed and may not do so in the future.

…how our illustrious “representation” in Lansing succumbs to mass ignorance whenever it comes time to cut items from their budget? Where’s the call to defund the Life Sciences Corridor Initiative? MEGA? The Office of Surgeon General of Michigan? Believe it or not, we actually have the last one. These are but a few items that can, and should, be eliminated from this year’s budget. But given the fact that this comes from a State Senator who introduced a bill to decrease the time required before the state can move in to grab “unclaimed” property (SB 1340 among others), I have come to the inescapable conclusion that they lack the intestinal fortitude required face those leeching off of the public purse (and ironically their largest voting block) and tell them that the money to fund their largesse is no longer there. I’d be curious to see what will happen in a few years if this is allowed to continue, what will happen when there are not enough people working to pay into the system to support those who WILL NOT?

Representative of the People !! I can gaurantee that we oppose it 100 % Just who are these men and women representing? Certainly not the property owners of the state of Michigan. As a registered voter I will campaign against everyone of those who voted in the Senate for this slap in the face of the taxpayers. !!

The State must really think that its hand is faster than the eye of the taxpayer. Taxpayer, keep your eye on your $$.

If you weren't in favor of it, think that it is a bad idea, why vote for it? This is very disappointing.

I agree with "Republican Betrayal"; It's time we kick out these tax and spend Republicrats and Demicans and elect truly fiscally responsible legislators. That is why I am running for State Rep in the 110th districton the US Taxpayers Party ticket. I also support all USTPM candidates forpublic office. To find out more, visit www.ustaxpayerspartyofmichigan.com.

Are you sure you are a Republican or are you just another RINO? Any type of challenger in your next election and you may be in trouble. Our Republican leadership in Lansing is a JOKE.

Can anyone tell me when this this insanity will end? How come I haven't heard about when the spending will stop? Since our "Beloved Gov" has taken office, We have seen an increase in the tobacco tax, as well as a decrease in jobs in the Detroit area, due to the casino tax increase. Further, the casinos are not going to build permanent structures. That is a billion dollar industry that is reconsidering there position, which can hardly be criticized by rational thinking people. Now, we may have to pay our taxes on an accelerated basis? There is something seriously wrong here. The senior's in this state who are living on a fixed income are budgeting their income to pay their taxes accordingly. The powers that be figure that they, the seniors, can just adjust their budget's to bail themselves out. When you receive a fixed income, the burden is obvious....What next??? But we all can adjust our budgets to bail out the high paid politicians we elect, in the spirit of being "good constituents". Our Governor has sure set the tone for her administration in the short time she's been in charge, and it's not one that anyone in this great state should have to endure!!!

When this creative accounting shift & shaft initiative was first introduced it was to be implemented in ONE year. Guess what? It would have been a very hard hit to the taxpayers and they could clearly see through it. So....they added a couple of more years, thinking that maybe the vision of the taxpayers would be blurred. Taxpayers, continue to keep your eye on your $$$$.

Boy - isn't that the truth! This vote sure seemed to separate the RINO's from the true Republicans!

Taxes are high enough! Thanks to all those legistators that voted for the tax increase - you just stole my American dream - I'm glad I'm here to afford YOUR spending. Thanks for listening to the taxpayers . . . you did your job well. And since you're all too stupid to listen to the taxpayers . . . I'm being sarcastic when I say thanks.

I think it is one of the most arrogant things I have ever seen, and I have a copy of the votes and will take this to the voting booth next time these legislators are running.

I too have run off the list of those who voted for this and will take it to the voter booth. These people are suppose to work for us not J. Granholm. They certainly didn't understand that at the time of voting. This has not only hurt those who struggle now with their bills but all the economy in Michigan. With less money to spend everyone will be hurt.

Anyone have any ideas on what we, the pissed off tax payer, can do next. I am just livid and while I have not participated much in this type of action, I am chomping at the bit to do something about this!!!! I already sent an e-mail to all those voting yes but I don't feel like that is enough Tim Heideman TCHeideman@aol.com

Let's see, an increase in the cigarette tax, increase in the casino tax, increase in property tax. What will be the net effect of all of these tax increases? Fewer jobs in Michigan. Then with fewer jobs, the tax burden will increase and before you know it, Michigan will be a barren wasteland. I am sick of bearing the brunt of the pet projects of elected officials. Keep you hands out of my pocket !!!!!!!!!1

While there is griping and complaining about a lack of jobs in the state, the governor feels the best way to handle it is to ask for her unemployed constituents to send their tax money early!!! Brilliant. Jennifer, you can start looking for another job for 2006, because you will be out of here !!! What utter nonsense !!

It would have taken only one Republican legislator that voted yes, to say no, and this nonsense goes away. Shame on the "supposed" Republicans in the legislature. Did anyone suggest a reduction in the state legislators salaries to cover the deficit?

This is BS. Thanks for listening to the tax payers.

Does anybody in legislation listen to the tax payer? NOPE. Thanks for sticking it to us again.

It is folly to take a cash advance from your credit card to pay your current credit card payment. But dipping into the future to pay for the present is the Granholm way. Witness the use of existing state employee retirement funds to pay the state's portion of currently due retirement fund payments. Yesterday evening, this administration's revival of "voodoo economics" continued. Tax manipulation by any other name is still tax manipulation - in the words of the MichiganVotes.org website, "The additional revenue realized by collecting property taxes early will go into a fund that will be used to make revenue sharing payments to counties for the next several years." This kind of accounting begs the question, who's going to pay these revenue sharing payments when the funds from this early collection are exhausted? Just whose future are we mortgaging here? an aging population on fixed incomes? our children? their children? An ancient king, when warned of the results of his policies upon the generations to come, said, (paraphrase) "As long as it doesn't happen on my watch - it's okay." This governor and this legislature are evidently of the same mindset. Legislators (Senate and House,) who could/would not agree on any alternative, (unpleasant or otherwise,) and who caved in to an arbitrary executive order should be remembered this November 2nd and in succeeding elections, as should the governor who exerted such pressure.

I would be remiss in passing up an opportunity to say that I will not be voting for Senator Garcia. I do think it is the right thing to do for the taxpayers. I feel like we have no other choice. But I just wanted to go on record as saying that I would prefer not to do this, but I guess we have no choice. Increase my taxes, lose my support.

I have sent the following to my representative, which just happens to be the sponsor of this bill.... "I have just reviewed the vote details on Senate Bill 1112 (Advanced due-date for county tax collections). I am EXTREMELY disappointed that you sponsored this bill against the wishes of your constiuents. I would like to know exactly what was the reasoning for sponsoring and voting against the general populations wishes. You may not see this as a tax increase, and I agree it isn't. But it will result in higher house payments for those of use that have escrowed accounts. Apparently you can afford higher house payments, but most of us in this weakened economy (which no one seems to be doing anything about) CANNOT! Everything continues to increase in cost, but yet the general population that is working (if you are lucky) recieves no pay increases. I expect my job to be shipped to New Zealand before 2006. We continuous pay more to receive less. My street in Clinton Township (18 and Hayes / Garfield) is a disaster, and the Road Commission has now labeled it as "beyond repair (by the way my taxes in Clinton Twp are one ogf the highest around)". At one point they wanted to have a special assessment of $10,000 on our property to fix it. This is a common example of the services we receive from paying our taxes (yes even gas tax). We have continuously bailed out this state due to mis-management. The people pay You can expect to NOT receive my vote/endorsement in the next election. Apparently we need someone in office who will listen to their continuents! I expect an automated response to this email anyways…... With deepest regrets…... Michael Chiolero"

Shame on all who voted for this prepayment. You don't pay your surgeon before the operation. This is just the beginning of tinkering with tax dollars.Continue to watch for the slight of hand tactics that cause distrust of our elected officials. I do not believe that the population of Michigan would vote as our representatives did.I don't think it would even be close. I do not agree with most of David Woodward's views, but I applaud him in voting NO on this matter.