Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on February 14, 2008, to clarify the terms of a Michigan Business Tax credit previously granted to the owner of the Palace sports stadium in Auburn Hills, and potentially also to the owner of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers stadiums (the Ilitch family). The measure gives the owners a 65 percent reduction in their business tax liability for 2008 through 2010 (up to $1.7 million annually), a 45 percent tax break in 2011 (up to $1.18 million), and a 25 percent tax break in 2012 (up to $650,000)

The vote was 38 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 66 at Senate Journal 17)

Click here to view bill details.

Why do we give owners of professionsl sports teams and stadiums a tax break? Those enterprises do nothing for the economy of the state of Michigan except redistribute wealth from many citizens who struggle into the hands of a wealthy few. If we need to give a business tax break, we should extend such incentives only to those who make a product or provide a service which is exported or manage turist sites which attract people from out of state thereby bringing revenue and jobs into the state. It's not rocket science. OK the world series does that once in a while. Give me a break.