By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


A local lawmaker says Governor Whitmer’s veto of tax relief legislation missed a chance to provide some peace of mind to Michigan families devastated by the impact of COVID-19.

Whitmer vetoed bills Wednesday that would have allowed for delayed tax payments. She cited the harm to local budgets across Michigan and said while the business-backed bills to further delay sales, use and income tax payments were “commendable” they would “push many local budgets over the precipice into fiscal crisis.” However, Republican State Representative Ann Bollin of Brighton Township said it was “unfortunate” that the governor would not agree to providing flexibility that the vast majority of the Michigan Legislature saw as a clear need.

Bollin said the plan approved by the Legislature would have allowed residential or business property owners hurt by COVID-19 and the state’s economic shutdown more time to pay this year’s summer property taxes if needed. Bollin said “incomes have been crippled, and financial obligations are mounting” and the measures “would have given families and job providers some much-needed flexibility as they work to make ends meet,” adding “Schools and local governments would eventually be made whole because taxes would eventually be paid.”

The legislation won overwhelming bipartisan support, including unanimous support in the House. Bollin says that property owners who filed affidavits of hardship would have had until March 2021 to pay their summer taxes. Interest and penalties on delinquent summer property taxes would not have started accruing until spring 2021. The provisions also would have applied to those impacted by recent flooding caused by dam failures in certain areas of the state such as Midland County and Saginaw County.