How can conservatives hold the higher ground when crap like this gets through? Not just voted on by the Republicans, but actually introduced by Sen Pappageorge (R – 13th)
Sec. 410a. (1) For tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2008 and end before January 1, 2013, an eligible
taxpayer may claim a credit against the tax imposed by this act equal to the following:
(a) For the 2008 through 2010 tax years, 65% of the eligible taxpayer’s total tax liability imposed under this act not to exceed $1,700,000.00.
(b) For the 2011 tax year, 45% of the eligible taxpayer’s total tax liability imposed under this act not to exceed
$1,180,000.00.
(c) For the 2012 tax year, 25% of the eligible taxpayer’s total tax liability imposed under this act not to exceed
$650,000.00.
(2) As used in this section, “eligible taxpayer” means a taxpayer that is, collectively or individually, including
through affiliated companies, an owner, operator, manager, licensee, lessee, or tenant of more than 1 facility or stadium in this state, including grounds and ancillary facilities, that has a capacity of at least 14,000 patrons per facility and is primarily used for professional sporting events or other entertainment, and that has made a capital investment of not less than $250,000,000.00, collectively or individually, including through affiliated companies, into the construction cost of a facility or stadium for which the taxpayer qualifies for this credit.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless House Bill No. 5463 of the 94th Legislature is enacted into law.
Now, I have NO PROBLEM with tax breaks for the big venues, but this is LAW, signed in which has effect for VERY FEW Michigan interests. (how many stadiums are there which hold 14k People and meet the other criteria?) The specific nature of intended recipients is troubling from my perspective, (Of course I have trouble with the ANTI free market approach to selective renaissance zoning anyhow) and tends to create an atmosphere where it seems ok to allow other businesses to be continue being punished for being here.
And, since most business doesn’t have a personal legislator on the payroll, it seems a little too specific a set of beneficiaries. This brings us to the smoking ban:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billengrossed/House/pdf/2007-HEBS-4163.pdf
Above is the SENATE passed version which is essentially different from the house version in the “casinos” definition. The HOUSE version essentially says Indian casinos aren’t who they are legislating against. Oh did I say against? Yep guess so, we need to remember EVERY law passed makes a previously legal activity (such as running a business in the manner we decide is best.. ..for our business) illegal. So the SMOKING BAN is AGAINST more of the businesses in Michigan.
I WILL GIVE the senate credit for adding the casinos so that ALL businesses are TREATED EQUALLY AS POORLY however. IT may delay a vote until cooler heads prevail, and possibly long enough so we can throw em all out before the damage is done. ANY SO CALLED CONSERVATIVE who votes for this garbage needs to be sent a Democrat party membership application.
IN fact… Maybe that is how we need to get their attention.
Maybe if all 14 of the people who read this send a democrat membership application to the RINOs every time they jump on with the left/looney crowd, we can then again actually KNOW where our guys votes will be BEFORE we give em the voting lever. There ARE some good guys looking out for us, but the strength of will seems to be overcome all too often with the incremental allowance of bad law restricting the natural ability for Michigan business to compete.