This morning (March 4, 2014) the Michigan State Senate passed a 10-bill package that represents months of negotiations on personal property tax (PPT) reform. The Michigan Municipal League’s message on PPT has consistently been 100 percent, guaranteed replacement. The bills do represent 100 percent replacement and a more stable reimbursement mechanism.

The bills, Senate Bills 821-830, now head to the House for consideration.  The House Tax Policy Committee has scheduled two hearings on the bills next week. We anticipate the bills moving quickly through the legislative process, likely before spring break in April.

League staff and League members (Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and Delta Township Manager Richard Watkins) joined Lt. Gov. Brian Calley yesterday in a news conference about the new PPT package. Go here to read about the news conference. View more photos from today’s PPT press conference. View a League press release about the announcement.

Samantha Harkins is the Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League.  She can be reached at 517-908-0306 or email at sharkins@mml.org