Full press conference

Length: 29:20

Transcript: Michigan Municipal League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin- opening comments

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Transcript: Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero

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Transcript: Hamtramck Mayor and Michigan Municipal League Board President Karen Majewski

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Transcript: Kent County Intermediate School District Superintendent Kevin Konarska

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Transcript: Portage District Library Director Library and past president of the Michigan Library Association Christine Berro

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Transcript: Howell Police Chief and MIchigan Association of Chiefs of Police Legislative Chair George Basar

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Transcript: Michigan Municipal League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin- closing comments

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Summer Minnick, director of state affairs, Michigan Municipal League, explains the purpose of the press conference on the Michigan Personal Property Tax (PPT) issue. The conference featured a coalition of organizations encouraging lawmakers to Replace Don’t Erase the PPT.

Dan Gilmartin,CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League, introduces the press conference speakers and explains why this PPT revenue is so important to Michigan communities.

Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte says eliminating the PPT in the fourth largest city in Michigan would cost his community about $9.2 million. This is on top of the $27 million in tax revenues Sterling Heights has already lost in recent years.

Tom Mullaney, president of the Michigan Association of Counties, said counties cannot continue to pay for items dictated by the state when there are no funds, such as the personal property tax, coming in.

Dave Weisenberg of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union says it’s ironic that politicians want to have photos taken with firefighters and police officers around the 9/11 anniversary but always seem to forget about them at budget time. Cutting the PPT without a replacement would drastically hurt many fire departments that have already experienced tremendous cuts.

Howell Police Chief George Basar explains cutting the PPT would severely hurt many police departments that have already done budget tightening. He lists the cuts already made in many Michigan communities, including in the cities of Trenton, Kentwood, Wyoming, Howell, Wayne, and Livonia.

Stan Kogut, superintendent of the Ingham Intermediate School District and a member of the Michigan Association of School Administrators, says cutting the PPT could result in a tax increase for Michigan residents.

Christine Berro, Portage District Library director and past president of the Michigan Library Association, explains that PPT represents about 11 percent of the budget for the average Michigan public library. She said many libraries and their branches could close if the PPT is cut and not fully replaced.

Tim McGuire, executive director, Michigan Association of Counties, takes questions from reporters attending the press conference.

Deena Bosworth, legislative coordinator, Michigan Association of Counties, says it’s up to lawmakers to come up with a funding replacement should the PPT be eliminated. Her comments follow Tim McGuire's segment.

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