Transit/Transportation Tax Increment Financing and Opt-Out Hearings in House

The League testified twice on the issue of economic development and tax increment financing (TIF) yesterday – once in the House Intergovernmental Committee and once before a workgroup of the House Transportation Committee.  We supported new transit and transportation TIF acts.  As always, the discussion focused on opt-outs.  In addition to staff, the League had representatives from Grand Rapids and Lansing testify about the benefits of TIF districts (DDA, CIA) and the importance of transit and transportation.  The Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Rapid and Transit Riders United all testified on the need for transit and transit TIF’s…and all said that opt-outs would render the legislation and the districts ineffective.  The counties again testified that they wanted opt-outs in order to negotiate deals with the municipalities.  Wayne County testified that they wanted to be able to create these districts along with the municipalities and public transit agencies, and that they would be okay with being able to decide if the district happens at all rather than opting-out.  The discussions on both bills will continue over the next few weeks

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