|
Write to Congress
Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, Arboriculture Society of Michigan, Michigan Green Industry Association and Michigan Turfgrass Association's
2008 Green Industry Legislative Day
March 12, 2008 - Lansing, Michigan
Register NOW to join MNLA, ASM, MGIA and MTF for a morning of grassroots involvement that is critical for the defense of your interests at the State Capitol!
This intense morning "blitz" of the nursery, landscape, retail, arborist, and turf industries into the State legislative arena will begin with an informational session providing all attendees with background information and protocol on the legislative system and issues that we are presently working on. From there, the movers, shakers, and VOTERS of the green industry will systematically visit with each office of the State Legislature to increase awareness of the industry and the issues that we are faced with.
For the full schedule of events and to register, click here for the pdf.
December 17, 2007
TUMULTUOUS LEGISLATIVE YEAR FINALLY ENDS
On Thursday, December 13, the Michigan Legislature concluded a year of
legislative activity that is
certain to be reviewed at length in future writings by Michigan
historians. It was a session
characterized by extended disputes between the Democrat-controlled
House and the Republican
controlled Senate. Also the Senate leadership was frequently at odds
with the Executive Office over
fiscal matters involving state government reforms and taxation issues.
Listed below are the issues of
major controversy during the legislative session that required endless
debate.
• 2007-08 State Budget. In order to balance a projected $1.8 billion
budget deficit an
extensive legislative bill was passed that directed $433 million in
cuts to state government
and also enacted a new tax on a variety of services. The immediate
outcry from the business
community was so intense the Legislature repealed the tax hours after
it became effective and
replaced it with a surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax (MBT).
• Michigan Business Tax (MBT). With the Single Business Tax (SBT) due
to expire
December 31, 2007, the Legislature passed a replacement tax on business
that continued the
basic philosophy of the SBT “value–added” tax but, according to its
authors, created a more
competitive climate for Michigan business.
• 2006-07 State Budget. With a projected deficit of $1 billion in the
budget which concluded
September 30, 2007, the Legislature approved a combination of
accounting changes and onetime
fixes to finish the budget year in the black. The Governor’s Executive
Order to put the
budget back in order was rejected by the Republicans because it relied
too heavily on new
taxes and spending cuts.
2008 ISSUES
Listed below are some of the current issues still on the agenda for the
Legislature when it returns in
January.
• Electric utility regulation.
• Prohibit smoking in Michigan bars and restaurants.
• Solid waste management trash fees in landfills.
• Amendments to the Michigan Business Tax.
• Limitations on employers and how they hire and fire individuals.
• Pay equity between female and male employees.
• Retiree health care by state and local units of government.
• Legislative pay and benefits legislation.
• Public disclosure of Michigan catastrophic claims.
THE SERVICE TAX HAS BEEN REPEALED!
As expected a deal was reached Friday night to repeal the service tax. The Senate voted at about 5 a.m. Saturday morning and the House was called back for a special session in the afternoon to do the same. The bill, House Bill 5408, was signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm Saturday night. The legislation also has a provision not to penalize anyone for not collecting the tax prior to repeal.
For more information, visit www.axthetax.com.
|
