They’re Back: Lawmakers Return to Lansing
After a two-week break, lawmakers are heading back to the state Capitol today. And, today’s tax filing deadline has kicked off political sparring over the state’s tax overhaul. “Democrats say a lot of the changes made last year should be reversed. That includes restoring the exemption for pension income. They are also calling to restore a dozen credits and deductions, including the tax breaks for raising children and charitable donations. Republicans say the tax overhaul made taxes more simple and fair and treats all income the same, regardless of its source,” Rick Pluta reports.
President Obama to Visit SE MI
President Obama is scheduled to attend two fundraisers tomorrow in suburban Detroit. The Associated Press reports:
The president plans to attend an evening event at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn. Later, he's set to appear at the Bingham Farms home of Denise Ilitch. She's the daughter of Mike and Marian Ilitch, owners of Little Caesar's Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. That event could collect up to $40,000 per donor… The president could raise $1 million at Wednesday's events. Obama last visited Michigan on January 27th when he spoke on higher education funding at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Engler: Tax Decisions Need to Be Made Quickly
Former Michigan Governor John Engler says politicians in Washington need to make important decisions now, despite the general election coming in November. Engler spoke to a gathering at the Economic Club of Grand Rapids yesterday. Lindsey Smith reports:
Engler says politicians have a lot of tough decisions to make to keep the U.S. competitive globally. That includes decisions on energy and education; but most importantly, he says, decisions about the tax code and the federal deficit. Engler says those decisions need to made as quickly as possible. Engler said lawmakers need to make long-term decisions about the tax code instead of one time quick fixes he says only add uncertainty for U.S. businesses. Engler says uncertainty about energy prices and the future of the new national health care law are also dragging down the economy.
