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By Jack McHugh
Now with one click you can approve or disapprove of key votes by your legislators using the VoteSpotter smart phone app. Visit votespotter.com and download VoteSpotter today!
Senate Bill 618, Exempt "internet data center" companies from personal property tax: Passed 21 to 15 in the Senate
To exempt the owners of internet data center companies from having to pay "personal property taxes" levied on business tools and equipment for the next 15 years. The bill originally applied only to the developers of proposed data center in the vacant “Pyramid” building near Grand Rapids, but was expanded to all companies in this particular business.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 616, Exempt "internet data center" companies from most sales tax: Passed 21 to 15 in the Senate
To exempt from sales tax the purchases of most business equipment made by internet data centers. The bill originally applied only to the developers of proposed data center in the vacant “Pyramid” building near Grand Rapids, but was expanded to all companies in this particular business. For the next 15 years these firms would only have to pay 2 percent sales tax on most equipment and construction materials, rather than the full 6 percent paid by others.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
Senate Bill 556, Extend “commercial rehab” tax breaks for developers: Passed 87 to 19 in the House
To extend for another five years a “commercial rehabilitation act” that authorizes property tax breaks for owners of commercial property selected by local government officials. The law was originally created with the developer of a moribund Oakland County mall in mind, and has been used to give these indirect subsidies to other developers as well.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4059, Extend sunset on school retiree pension "double dipping": Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate
To extend until 2018 the sunset on a law that allows a “retired” teacher to work in schools with shortages in certain subjects and collect pension checks alongside his or her current pay.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4747, Exempt governments from adverse possession: Passed 90 to 14 in the House
To exempt local governments from adverse possession actions. Adverse possession is the doctrine that allows a person who is in open possession of property for a certain period of time to claim title to it.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4095, Authorize $51 million for college & university building projects: Passed 103 to 1 in the House
To authorize $51.3 million in new government spending for several state college and university construction projects. The bill would cause the state to increase its own debt burden by $33.1 million.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”
House Bill 4598, Impose licensure on midwives
To impose a state licensure mandate on midwives, including regulations and a $200 annual license fee.
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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