Lansing, Michigan (WLNS) – Legislative Republicans have agreed to cut taxes, but the Whitmer administration is not involved.
Although the Republican legislature has an agreement on a ubiquitous tax rollback, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not sign it because she believes the expanded tax cut for all, both rich and poor, is wrong.
“Ultimately, we will negotiate a budget, but at this point, everyone gets a small amount of dollars,” Whitmer said. “I don’t think it will make much sense. it would not be a significant improvement in the quality of life of the people struggling. ”
The $ 4 billion Republican Package includes a $ 500 tax credit for a child in your income tax form and lowers the income tax rate from 4.25% to 3.9%.
In addition, it also gives local governments 1.5 billion to repay part of the debt on their pension funds to ambulance services and others.
One of the sponsors of the reduction claims that the citizens deserve it, and the state can afford it.
“People don’t believe that right now we can’t find money for some seniors, workers and families,” said state spokesman Matt Hall.
According to the governor’s budget director, the governor’s tax package is based on 3% annual economic growth.
But Republican Budget Chairman Thomas Albert did not disclose how his side would pay for the tax cuts.
The governor argues that Republicans will have to cut education and other services to do so to pay for the cuts.
Whitmer’s budget director Chris Harkins says revenue growth will not cover the cost of the GOP plan.
“It seems to exceed the amount we expect in revenue growth. So I think it will reduce the budget, and I think it’s a difficult part because the legislature is disclosing its tax components, “Harkins said.
It is unclear whether the Republican Party’s two budget chairs will send this package to the governor, where it could veto it, or whether they will meet with its budget director to find a compromise she could sign.