News Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 15, 2008
CONTACT: Jim Sandy
Michigan Business Leaders for Education Excellence
517-371-2100 MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE URGES STATE
SENATE TO REJECT $3.2 BILLION PROPERTY TAX INCREASE ON HOMEOWNERS AND JOB
PROVIDERS
LANSING, Mich. – Last Thursday, December 11th, in the dark of
night, without a committee meeting or any public debate, the Michigan House
approved a property tax increase on homeowners and job providers conservatively
estimated at $3.2 billion – an unconscionable act given Michigan’s current
economic climate, says the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
“This sneak attack on taxpayers was utterly irresponsible,”
says Michigan Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rich Studley. “With home
foreclosures in Michigan among the highest in the nation and homeowners paying
higher taxes on lower property assessments, this legislation is ludicrous.
“In addition, nowhere in this legislation (House Bill 4141) is
there a single cost-saving reform measure or initiative to improve student
achievement,” noted Jim Sandy, Executive Director of the Michigan Business
Leaders for Education Excellence, an affiliate program of the Michigan Chamber
Foundation. “Talk about throwing homeowners and job providers under the school
bus.”
Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group
(AEG) has analyzed similar sinking fund legislation and has concluded that under
three likely scenarios taxpayers would be required to pay between $3.26 billion
and $7.6 billion. The AEG analysis is available on the Michigan Chamber’s web
site at
www.michamber.com.
“We urge the State Senate to kill House Bill 4141 before it
further damages home ownership and our state’s business climate,” concluded
Sandy.
The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business advocacy
organization representing over 7,100 employers, trade associations, and local
chambers of commerce. In 2009, the Michigan Chamber will celebrate its 50th
Anniversary.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 10, 2008
CONTACT: Jim Sandy
Michigan Business Leaders for Education Excellence
517-371-2100 MICHIGAN BUSINESS LEADERS SUPPORT SUPERINTENDENT FLANAGAN'S DECISION FOR DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
LANSING, Mich. – The
Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Business Leaders for Education
Excellence (MBLEE) today announced its support of State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Mike Flanagan for his decision to return the Detroit Public Schools
to a firm financial footing.
“Superintendent Flanagan’s action provides a clear direction that Detroit
Public Schools can no longer continue business as usual and that it is time to
put the education of children first,” said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich
Studley.
“School children and parents are suffering from the District’s chronic
inability to manage its finances,” Studley added. “Enough is enough. Only when
strong financial management is restored will the District deserve to be
recognized as ‘first class.’”
“The law is clear and Superintendent Flanagan has acted in a reasonable
manner,” noted Jim Sandy, MBLEE Executive Director. “I know Mike Flanagan has
the interest of children as his first priority.”
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business advocacy
organization representing over 7,100 employers, trade associations, and local
chambers of commerce. In 2009, the Michigan Chamber will celebrate its 50th
anniversary. The Chamber holds the distinction of being one of only four state
chambers of commerce accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
MBLEE is an affiliate program of the Michigan Chamber Foundation.
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