REPLACE, DON'T ERASE
Michigan's Personal Property Tax!
...and guarantee the revenues for local services and local communities so the Legislature can't raid the funds for the state budget!
There has been a great deal of discussion lately over the effort in Lansing to eliminate the Personal Property Tax (PPT) on businesses. The Michigan Municipal League and a coalition of statewide organizations is working to educate the public and state policy makers on the devastating impact it would have on Michigan residents if this crucial revenue source for local services is eliminated but not fully replaced. The coalition includes the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Library Association, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union and many others.
Media outlets across the state have been covering the issue in force. Virtually everyone agrees that while PPT reform may be needed, scrapping the tax without guaranteeing replacement funds for local services and schools would harm students, counties, libraries, and police and fire protection across the state. Here is a sampling of recent media coverage:
PRESS RELEASES
NEWS ARTICLES
VIDEOS
| 5/2/12: The League's Summer Minnick discusses the personal property tax issue on WDTW-Am-1310. |
NEW: Rochester Hills Would Lose $1.7 Million in Repeal of Personal Property Tax
Examiner, 11/28/12
NEW: Proposed Michigan Personal Property Tax Overhaul Unveiled
WKZO, 11/28/12
NEW: Lame Duck Decisions Could Have Lasting Impact
The Voice, 11/28/12
NEW: New Business Tax Plan Requires Statewide Vote; Concerned Local Governments Want Details
Mlive, 11/27/12
NEW: Michigan Business Tax Debate Big Part of Lame Duck Session
Mlive, 11/27/12
NEW: Editorial: Legislators Can't Eliminate PPT Without Establishing a Fair Replacement
Kalamazoo Gazette, 11/25/12
NEW: Editorial: Property Tax Needs Caution, Fairness
Lansing State Journal, 11/20/12
NEW:Michigan's local leaders support eliminating personal property tax, fear loss of revenue
Detroit Free Press, 11/19/12
Repeal of Personal Property Tax Would be Disastrous
Holland Sentinel, 8/30/12
State's Solution to Budget Crisis Has Big Impact on Local Governments
Morning Sun, 8/7/12
Muskegon-Area Leaders Forecast Massive Cuts
Mlive, 6.15.12
Michigan Libraries, Learners Will Lose if Tax Funds Aren't Replaced
Mlive, 6/5/12
Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra on PPT
Django Podcast, 5/23/12
PPT Repeal Now as Obsolete as Michigan 1.0
Grand Rapids Business Journal, 5/21/12
Tax Cut Plan Unfair and Too Costly
Times Herald, 5/14/12
Personal Property Tax Relief May Fall off Fast Track for Political Reasons
Mlive, 5/15/12
Local Budgets Still at Risk in Michigan's PPT Plan
Detroit Free Press, 5/12/12
Senate Republicans Agree to Poison Pill in PPT Reform
Mlive, 5/12/12
Michigan Senate Passes Personal Property Tax Cuts
WLNS, 5/10/12
State Senate Passes Bills to Roll Back Personal Property Taxes for Business
Detroit News, 5/11/12
Personal Property Tax Repeal Passes MIchigan Senate
Detroit Free Press, 5/11/12
County Officials, Lawmakers Discuss Loss of PPT
Midland Daily News, 5/9/12
Cutting Business Tax Means Cuts to Local Governments, Higher Real Estate Taxes
MPR, 5/7/12
Repeal Would Cost Cities, Schools Millions in Funding
Press & Guide, 5/1/12
Personal Property Tax Cut Could Devastate Heavily Industrial Communities
News-Herald, 5/1/12
Calley: Phasing out Granholm tax credits could pay for personal property tax reform
Ann Arbor.com, 5/1/12
Telfer: Officials Skeptical of State Government? You Bet
Midland Daily News, 4/29/12
Sterling Heights Officials Protest Proposed Cuts
Advisor Source, 4/26/12
Snyder Builds Tax Plan on Complicated Tax Credit Math
Bridge, 4/26/12
Value of Expiring Tax Credits is Linchpin to Snyder's Plan
Bridge Magazine on Mlive, 4/26/12
Guest Commentary: Communities, Schools Can't Afford this Business Tax Plan
Detroit Free Press, 4/26/12
Lansing GOP Planning a Money Grab
Port Huron Times Herald, 4/24/12
Toledo Blade, 4/25/12
Train Has Left the Station on Michigan Business Tax Reform
Grand Rapids Press, 4/23/12
Brian Dickerson: What Rick Snyder Wants Most of All
Detroit Free Press, 4/22/12
Local Officials Skeptical of Michigan Biz Tax Cuts
Times Herald, 4/21/12
Cartoon: Snyder and a Personal Property Tax Cut for Businesses
Mike Thompson, Detroit Free Press, 4/20/12
Michigan Republicans Look to Take Another Half-Billion from Cities to Give to Businesses
Eclecta Blog, 4/20/12
PPT Loss Could Result in Income Tax Increase
Morning Sun, 4/19/12
Business, Republican Leaders Express Confidence in PPT Repeal
Bridge, 4/19/12
Snyder Pushes to End Personal Tax on Business
Bridge, 4/19/12
Michigan Senate Begins Hearings on Plan to End Tax
Bond Buyer: The Daily Newspaper of Public Finance, 4/19/12
Property Tax Bills are Inadequate
Lansing State Journal, 4/19/12
Tim Skubick: So Much for the Governor's Call for Shared Sacrifice
Mlive, 4/19/12
Local Budgets Can't Afford Property Tax Plan for Michigan Businesses
Detroit Free Press Editorial, 4/18/12
Legislation to Phase Out Property Tax on Industrial Machinery Introduced in Michigan
Detroit Free Press, 4/18/12
Poll: Voters Favor Amendment for Full Replacement of PPT Revenue
MI Tech News, 4/12/12
Mount Pleasant Considers Income Tax to Prevent Reducing Services
Central Michigan Life, 4/13/12
Poll Says Voters Oppose Cutting State Personal Property Tax
4/13/12
Senator Proos Talking PPT with Local Governments
WSJM, 4/13/12
Replace Don't Erase Coaltion Poll on Personal Property Tax Cut Showing Voters Agree
Crain's Detroit Business, 4/12/12
Poll: Voters Favor Amendment for Full Replacement of PPT Revenue
GONGWER, 4/12/12
Poll Shows 70% Opposition to PPT Repeal
MIRS, 4/12/12
PODCAST: Summer Minnick on the Personal Property Tax and Why Townships are Still ImportantMIRS, 4/9/12
Saline Ponders Bleak Future as PPT Elimination Bill Looms
Heritage Newspapers, 4/7/12
Sterling Heights Core Services at Risk if PPT Eliminated Without Replacement
Advisor & Source, 4/5/12
Municipal Officials Worry Over Possible Tax Cut
WMUK, 3/23/12
Lt. Gov. Calley Details Plan to Eliminate Industrial Personal Property Tax
Mlive, 3/20/12
Lt. Gov. Calley: State WOn't Guarantee It Will Replace Revenue Lost to Personal Property Tax Cuts
Crain's Detroit Business, 3/21/12
Hayes and Bosworth: Changing Personal Property Tax is Risky
Lansing State Journal, 3/10/12
Tax Repeal Cannot Harm Communities
Times Herald, 3/7/12
Berrien County Lobbies on Personal Property Taxes
Niles Daily Star, 3/6/12
Editorial: End Business Tax but Protect Cities
Detroit News, 3/4/12
Who Will Pay for the Next Michigan Tax Shift?
Detroit Free Press, 3/1/12
Snyder's Plan To Help Businesses Could Come at Communites' Expense
Detroit Free Press, 2/13/12
Possible Tax Repeal Would Hit Kalkaska Hardest
Morning Star, 2/1/12
Leaders Say PPT Dollars Must be Replaced if Eliminated
Jackson Citizen Patriot, 1/31/12
PPT Elimination Would Cost Jackson County Municipalities $1.9 Million
Jackson Citizen Patriot, 1/30/12
Eliminate PPT in Michigan? Only if it's Revenue-Neutral
Ann Arbor.com, 1/22/12
Saline: City Could Be In Financial Trouble if State Eliminates PPT
Saline Reporter, 12/20/11
A $1.2 Billion Question for Business, Government: How Will PPT Change in 2012?
Crain's Detroit Business, 12/14/11
Bridge Magazine Analysis: Shadow Tax Cut Deepens Local Budget Crisis
Bridge, 12/1/11
Despite $300 Million Reduction, Businesses Seek Relief
Bridge, 11/29/11
Officials Don't Expect PPT Decrease in 2012 Budget
Huron Daily Tribune, 11/23/11
PPT Not Likely to Go to Legislative Vote in 2011
Livingston Daily, 11/21/11
Michigan's Library Community Gears Up for a $30 Million Battle
Library Journjal, 11/7/11
Libraries Worry about PPT Elimination
Tuscola Today, 11/4/11
State Revenue Sharing Cuts Reshape City Government
Flint Journal, 10/16/11
Property Tax Plan Gains Traction in Lansing
Sturgis Journal, 10/20/11
Local Governments Face More Budget Issues
Lansing State Journal, 10/19/11
Slashing State Revenues Would Hurt Locally
Hometown Life, 10/20/11
Eliminating Personal Property Tax Would Deal $43M Blow to Washtenaw County
AnnArbor.com, 10/18/11
Gov. Rick Snyder's Next Tax Target Worries West Michigan Leaders
Muskegon Chronicle, 10/16/11
Blog: Gutless Michigan Legislature kicks responsibility down the road
The Michigan Lawyer, 10/7/11
Tax elimination could hurt local municipalities
Niles Daily Star, 10/13/11
Supt. John Jarpe: Personal Property Tax Needs a Replacement
Niles Daily Star, 10/5/11
Guest Editorial: Republican leaders prepare another raid on local money, with ax poised above personal property tax
Flint Journal, 10/9/11
PPT Cut: Municipalities Stand to Lose in a Big Way
Tuscola Today, 10/5/11
Repeal of PPT Could Cost $10 Million Locally
Holland Sentinel, 9/29/11
Officials: Removal of PPT Would Cost Berkley $205K Annually
Berkley C&G News, 9/27/11
Editorial: Sure, Get Rid of Despised Personal Property Taxes, But Only if Their Money is Replaced
Bay City Times, 9/25/11
Personal Property Tax Cuts Would Hurt Detroit
Michigan Citizen, 9/26/11
Editorial: Sure, Get Rid of Despised PPT But Only if Their Money is Replaced
Mlive, 9/25/11
Editorial: State Needs to Look for Better Way to Deal with PPT
Morning Sun, 9/24/11
Editorial: Reform Personal Property Tax with Care
Lansing State Journal, 9/24/11
Fall Focus for Senate GOP in Lansing Snubs New Bridge; PPT Among Priorities
Detroit News, 9/22/11
Ann Arbor Library Board Briefed on Tax Issue
Ann Arbor Chronicle, 9/22/11
Michigan Senate Turns Attention to Business Property Tax Reform
Detroit News, 9/21/11
Slashing More State Revenues Devastating at Local Level
Livingston Daily, 9/20/11
Snyder to annarbor.com: PPT Reform Could Take 5-10 Years
annarbor.com, 9/1911
Groups Want PPT Replaced to Avoid Disastrous Results
News-Herald, 9/17/11
City Opposed to Tax Elimination
Sturgis Journal, 9/17/11
Bay County Could Lose More than $3M in Revenue if PPT Repealed
Mlive, 9/17/11
Michigan Cities and Schools Worry over Tax Cut Plan
Lansing State Journal, 9/17/11
Kalamazoo, Portage Officials on Personal Property Tax
Mlive, 9/17/11
City and School District Leaders Concerned byTalks of Repealing of Personal Property Tax
Saline Patch, 9/16/11
Elimination of PPT Would Hurt Strong Industrial Communities in Muskegon County
Mlive,9/16/11
Letter to Editor: What Can Governor Do? Lots More That He Isn't
Mlive, 9/15/11
Eliminating Michigan's PPT Would Cost Schools $457M or More
Mlive, 7/15/11
Teachers Keep Losing; Are Schools Winning?
Times Herald, 9 /15/11
Editorial: Too Soon for Another Big Tax Change in Michigan
Detroit Free Press, 9/13/11
Wind Moratorium Talks Put on Hold
Huron Daily Tribune, 9/14/11
Local Governments, Schools Seek Revenue Protection
CNBC, 9/8/11
Why the Next Michigan Business Tax Reform Should be Completed with Caution (editorial)
Grand Rapids Press, 9/1/11
Huron Daily Tribune, 8/30/11
Cities Face Big Loss if PPT is Cut
News-Herald, 8/30/11
Gov. Snyder's Tax Plan Would Cost Lansing $3 Million
Mlive, 8/29/11
Editorial: Replacement Needed for Business Equipment Tax
Detroit News, 8/28/11
Editorial: Replacing Tax Will Be Necessary Hard Work Case for Some Incentives
Crain's Detroit Business, 8/28/11
Property Tax Elimination Would Put City in Deep Financial Hole
Observer & Eccentric, 8/28/11
Business Tax Repeal Could Hit Cities Hard
Detroit News, 8/24/11
Snyder Targets $800M Biz Tax: Communities Want Plan if Personal Property Tax Dies
Crain's Detroit Business, 8/14/11
MEDIA COVERAGE OF 9/8/11 PRESS CONFERENCE
Editorial: Huron Daily Tribune
August 9, 2012
Press Release - Campaign Launched to Provide Facts about Senate Bills 1065-1072 to State House, Senate Candidates
May 14, 2012
Press Release - Replace Don't Erase Coalition Releases Statement About Senate Personal Property Tax Bills
Press Release - More than 400 Local Michigan School Districts Bracing for Tax Hikes Under PPT Bills
May 1, 2012
Press Release - Senate Committee Passes Personal Property Tax Repeal Despite Concerns and Appeals from Locals
April 18, 2012
Press Release - Bills Would Strip Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Local Revenues from Local Communities, Schools
April 17, 2012
Media Advisory - Replace Don't Erase Coalition to Hold Press Conference on PPT Issue
April 12, 2012
Press Release - Michigan Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose Proposal to Cut the Personal Property Tax
March 20, 2012
Press Release - Proposal to Scrap Personal Property Tax Means More Cuts to Local Services, Higher Local Property Taxes
November 16, 2011
Press Release - AEG Report Confirms Financial Devastation to Michigan Communities if PPT is Eliminated
September 8, 2011
Press Release - Replace Don't Erase the Personal Property Tax
September 8, 2011
Press Release - PPT Replacement Funds Must Go to Local Services and Schools
