Checkmark
Legislation watch
     

Search all years.

2011 Senate Bill 855: Give particular firm $50 million state electric car subsidy

Public Act 292 of 2011

Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall R-White Lake on November 29, 2011
To authorize giving a $50 million state subsidy to a firm called “Townsend Ventures,” which says it wants to use the former Ford Motors Wixom plant to make systems related to electric car batteries. If enacted, this would be the second time the legislature has authorized a large cash subsidy for an outfit wanting to use this closed plant; the first deal fell through (see 2009 Senate Bill 777).   Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the Senate Economic Development Committee on November 29, 2011
Reported in the Senate on December 1, 2011
With the recommendation that the bill pass.
Amendment offered in the Senate on December 7, 2011
To eliminate a requirement that this former Wixom Ford plant be declared a tax-free "renaissance zone" by the local government for this subsidy to be approved.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on December 7, 2011
To authorize giving a $50 million state subsidy to a firm called “Townsend Ventures,” which says it wants to use the former Ford Motors Wixom plant to make systems related to electric car batteries. If enacted, this would be the second time the legislature has authorized a large cash subsidy for an outfit wanting to use this closed plant; the first deal fell through (see 2009 Senate Bill 777).
Received in the House on December 8, 2011
Referred to the House Tax Policy Committee on December 8, 2011
Reported in the House on December 13, 2011
With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Substitute offered in the House on December 15, 2011
To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 15, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin R-Rochester Hills on December 15, 2011
To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4815, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4815 would establish that incandescent light bulbs of any wattage may be sold in Michigan if they are completely made in Michigan, notwithstanding a federal law phasing-in a ban on bulbs 40 watts and above starting in 2012.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 15, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Wayne Schmidt R-Traverse City on December 15, 2011
To establish as the "intent of the legislature" that money not paid in past subsidy deals that never came off (or are later reduced) be used to reduce the amount of property tax imposed on business tools and equipment ("personal property tax"). Note: These "savings" are purely notional, because no money is set aside in a "lockbox" for these subsidy deals; corporate subsidy payments come from the state's regular cash flow, under "pay as you go" accounting.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on December 15, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Wayne Schmidt R-Traverse City on December 15, 2011
To revise details of the tax filing status of business subsidy recipients.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on December 15, 2011
Amendment offered by Rep. Mike Shirkey R-Clark Lake on December 15, 2011
To require additional reporting to the legislature on the number of future jobs created and tax revenue generated by this proposed subsidy deal.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on December 15, 2011
To authorize giving a $50 million state subsidy to a firm called “Townsend Ventures,” which says it wants to use the former Ford Motors Wixom plant to make systems related to electric car batteries. If enacted, this would be the second time the legislature has authorized a large cash subsidy for an outfit wanting to use this closed plant; the first deal fell through (see 2009 Senate Bill 777). The bill would also reduce by $25 million a similar subsidy for a Johnson Controls Corporation battery plant (which is also the beneficiary of almost $300 million in federal subsidies, and potentially up to $48.5 million in other Michigan subsidy/tax breaks).
Received in the Senate on December 15, 2011
To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which also revises the terms of another battery car corporate subsidy.
Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on December 21, 2011