Sen. Jansen calls on House to pass MBT surcharge repeal
LANSING - Sen. Mark C. Jansen, R-Gaines Township, joined fellow Republican lawmakers today at a state Capitol news conference to urge the Michigan House to quickly approve his legislation repealing the Michigan Business Tax surcharge.
Last week, the Michigan Senate approved legislation to phase out the massive Michigan Business Tax surcharge over the next three years. House Democratic leaders have remained silent on the issue and shown no willingness to pass the bill and provide desperately needed relief to Michigan job providers.
“My measure will bring relief to Michigan job providers across the state,” Jansen said. “It is time for House leadership to move this bill - Michigan business owners cannot continue to wait.”
Since the MBT’s passage, Michigan has lost nearly 70,000 jobs. Michigan’s unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in October 2007 when the surcharge was created. Today’s unemployment rate stands at 8.9 percent.
Senate Bill 1242 would phase out the 21.99 percent MBT surcharge over a three year period beginning Jan. 1, 2009. Jansen’s measure also would reduce the surcharge from the current 21.99 percent to 14.66 percent in tax year 2009. In tax year 2010 the surcharge would be reduced to 7.33 percent and finally eliminated in tax year 2011.
“For the financial future of Michigan businesses, I hope that my colleagues in the House act swiftly and put an end to this job-killing surcharge,” Jansen said.
The MBT surcharge repeal, along with crucial property tax reform legislation, continues to languish in the Michigan House.
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Editor’s note: A photo of Sen. Jansen attending the news conference is available on the Senate Majority Photowire.
Posted: Thursday, October 09, 2008
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