Big business investors are waiting on Governor Rick Snyder to give them a break. A tax break that is, to build on blighted land.
Investors who buy blighted property would get new tax incentives, under a set of bills on their way to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk.
Last year, these so-called brownfield bills were nicknamed after Dan Gilbert, the prominent Detroit developer. That’s because opponents call them a gift to wealthy corporations at the expense of taxpayers.
But supporters like Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-Olive Twp., insist the legislation will bring investment to cities big and small.
“If not for this type of tool, there are many sites in small towns, large towns that would not be available,” Meekhof says. “They would not be able to be redeveloped. And you’re getting nothing from them now. So getting something is better than getting nothing.”
But state Rep. Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, voted against the bills when they were in the House.
“This is corporate welfare,” he says. “It is wealth care. It is helping a small group of very wealthy investors get richer, at the expense of everybody else.”
Proponents say there are no upfront costs to the state, and the incentives will bring more jobs and an economic boost to Michigan. Meekhof says he’s confident the governor will sign the bills.