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By Jack McHugh
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House Bill 4738, Increase gas and diesel tax: Passed 56 to 50 in the House
To increase the state gasoline and diesel taxes to 22.3 cents per gallon starting Oct. 1, 2018, and after that index the amount to inflation. The current gas and diesel tax rates are 19 cents and 15 cents per gallon, respectively. The bill would increase the diesel tax to 19 cents on Oct. 1, 2017.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4736, Increase vehicle registration tax: Passed 55 to 51 in the House
To increase the annual vehicle registration (license plate) tax by around 40 percent per vehicle. Most of the revenue from this tax goes to the state road budget. Also, to impose a surtax on electric and alternative fuel vehicles that use the roads but don't pay gas tax.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4370, Earmark some income tax to roads; increase homestead tax credit: Passed 62 to 44 in the House
To increase the value of a "homestead property tax credit" that homeowners and renters can claim on their state income tax, and increase household income caps that limit eligibility for this credit (which essentially reimburses some property tax paid on a person's home). The bill is intended to offset around $200 million of the $600 million of gas tax and vehicle registration tax hikes included in a House road funding proposal.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 414, Roll back income tax if state revenue rises: Passed 61 to 45 in the House
To potentially roll back future income tax rates if the amount of revenue deposited into the state "general fund" in a given year grows faster than inflation, starting in 2019. Since the legislature controls which revenue goes into this fund, any future income tax cut would still be largely at the discretion of each legislature, as under current law. This is part of the latest House road funding package.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4480, Don't disparage one parent for protecting child from other: Passed 76 to 28 in the House
To establish that in determining the “best interest of child” in child custody and visitation cases a court may not “consider negatively” actions taken by a parent in self defense or to protect a child from “the child's abusive parent.”
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 326, Establish B-24 Liberator as symbolic "state airplane": Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate
To establish that the B-24 Liberator flown by the U.S. Army Air Force and Navy in WW II shall be deemed the “official airplane” of the state of Michigan. The B-24 was a sophisticated four-engine bomber produced in huge numbers by the Ford Motor Company on an unprecedented mile-length assembly line at the purpose-built Willow Run plant in Wayne County
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4182, Limit local governmental body “phone-in” voting: Passed 30 to 7 in the Senate
To establish that it is a violation of the Open Meetings Act for a member of an elected public body to cast a vote on a decision without being physically present. This would not apply in cases of an emergency or serious illness as defined by the bill, or if a public body is using a video conference system.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 421, Make it a crime to not pull over for ambulance: Passed 36 to 2 in the Senate
To make it a crime subject to 90 days is jail to not yield the right of way and pull over at the approach of an emergency vehicle with its flashing lights and siren activated. Under current law this is a civil offense subject to fines of $100 to $250. Also, to authorize up to 15 years in prison if the failure to yield costs the life of emergency personnel, and two years if it causes an injury
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit https://www.michiganvotes.org.
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