RightMichigan.com points out the seemingly immediate success of the Michigans government’s M.E.G.A. plan to offer GM $120 Million in tax incentives to generate results in Flint, MI. We salute the action of our state government, showing us that it does indeed understand how tax policy CAN affect growth and planning of business.
However, please.. Don’t stop there.
Much like the “cool Cities” inniative, or renewable energy businesses, or any other business which receives an advantage, the thought that taxes and implementation of tax policy in Michigan can help to grow or shrink business has not completely escaped the left in control of our state. The wonder of it all however lays in the fact that some of those who recognize the growth characteristic of friendly revenue generation for the state still oppose growth in other sectors. While recognizing that lowered taxes can create more jobs and theoretically more tax revenue in a biotech, cool cities project, or any of the renaissance zones, the very same thought cannot be carried to other businesses.
The diversity of business in the state of Michigan is phenomenal. From the basics of farming and resource gathering, to the high tech Medical sciences and pharmaceutical industries, Michigan still remains a powerhouse and has an incredible portfloio. But the great big engine fueled by a strong manufacturing base is low on fuel. New markets, new products, and new industry looking for a home base needs only to look at the tax policy, and the way in which Michigan government has handled the tax issue to say.. “no.. don’t think so.”
Our state needs to attract business. And it needs to bring in that business for the right reasons. One GM plant in Flint, a renewable energy concern in da U.P., a fertilizer plant in northern lower Michigan are not enough. Film credits let us bask in the limelight, but don’t provide and substantive relief for those who wish to work, and taxes generated cannot possibly be enough to offset the fact that policy as it stands is still driving people from the state in search of employment elsewhere.
Michigan needs a few BOLD steps, those that would attract permanent and long term “century” industries. New leadership is needed however, as even as Granholm, and the rest see the benefit of lower money paid to government as a solution they fail to see there are more than just a few “winners” in the state.