Highlights from statewide media coverage of the Center for Michigan’s town hall discussion on state taxes and spending attended by some 250 leaders and concerned citizens in Lansing…
CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS: Full agreement on the need for change, but not on how to get there.
LANSING STATE JOURNAL: “During a number of polls, nearly two-thirds supported raising the sales tax and nearly half would opt to cut the taxes on businesses.”
WILX CHANNEL 10: Invest in education and quality of life and consider sales tax expansion.
Beyond coverage of the actual event, other media outlets have provided clear framing of the taxing and spending questions in recent weeks. Two examples…
DETROIT FREE PRESS EDITORIAL: ‘Why Michigan Needs to Change Its Taxes.’
THE PEW CENTER ON THE STATES: “Michigan is like one of Detroit’s customers who can no longer afford an SUV and must trade down to something smaller, more efficient and less expensive.” … “Retirees benefit from the state’s generous income tax exemptions for pensions and other retirement income — which make it possible for a couple to receive up to $110,000 per year without owing anything to the state.” … “Even if the state’s economic development strategies succeed in putting citizens back to work, state revenues will have a difficult time catching up unless changes are made to the tax code.” … “The good news for us is that the auto industry has become so small in Michigan that it’s kind of lost its ability to hurt us.”
