I just attended a forum with the Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo. They invited me to be their keynote speaker and it was my pleasure to share my blueprint to fix Lansing and get Michigan back to work. I was honored to share my “Michigan Construction Jobs Now” plan with the men and women who are faced with such a difficult industry that is being crippled by the current tax structure.
My “Michigan Construction Jobs Now” plan would help jumpstart our state’s economy right away by targeting the construction sector, which has been especially hard hit by the economic down turn. While Michigan’s overall unemployment remains at about 15 percent, the skilled-trades people are experiencing an unemployment rate of about 33 percent.
I propose we give homeowners and businesses a tax incentive to invest here in Michigan and help create jobs. Under my plan, people would have 12 months to complete home and business renovations, remodels and similar improvement projects. Those construction projects, which would normally increase the property’s taxable value, would not be counted for tax assessment purposes until the house or business is sold.
My plan also affects new home construction, meaning property with newly built homes completed during the 12-month period would be taxed at the value of the undeveloped land for up to a year after completion of the project or until the property is sold, whichever comes first. After that, the property reverts to its normal assessed value.
This proposal benefits people across Michigan. Homeowners and businesses win by getting an incentive to complete projects without receiving a higher tax bill. State and local governments benefit from additional tax revenue generated by the new construction permits and boosted sales tax revenue. And the hard-working skilled tradesmen and women win with more projects and jobs.
I was pleased to announce my Michigan Construction Jobs Now plan, flanked by Sen. Alan Sanborn of Macomb County, and representatives of Michigan homebuilder and contractor groups. I urge the Legislature to take action on this proposal immediately. With their help we will see construction vehicles in front of our homes and businesses, not moving trucks driving away.
Please encourage your elected officials to get behind my plan to fix Lansing and put Michigan back to work.
Mike
