Womack Hosts Town Hall on Michigan's New Tax Laws

Community members given the chance to ask questions, obtain information

LANSING - State Representative Jimmy Womack (D-Detroit) hosted an informative town hall on Michigan’s new tax laws changes on Thursday evening. Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions on the recent changes to the state tax structure, connect with resources that might be helpful as they prepare for the new tax system, and share their thoughts on this new tax burden on Michigan families.

Womack was joined by his colleagues State Representative Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit) and State Senator Virgil Smith, as well as Mitch Bean from Great Lakes Economic Consulting, Gilda Jacobs, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services, and Marshall Hunt from the Accounting Aid Society.

“I want to thank my colleagues, community leaders and tax professionals who all took time out of their schedules to join me and hear directly from residents about how these changes are hurting middle-class working families and our seniors who are already trying to make ends meet on a fixed income,” said Womack. “My colleagues and I will continue to push for the repeal of the harmful senior tax in Lansing. While we wage our fight, I think it’s important to connect residents with experts who can answer their questions about these burdensome new taxes.”

This new tax structure represents a major shift: instead of a tax base that includes businesses and individuals, taxpayers must now pay a great deal more for state government programs and services. Proponents of the new law added an appropriation, preventing Michiganders from challenging the law by voter referendum under the state Constitution.

Approximately 65 individuals attended the event at the UAW Region 1A Vote Center, and discussed the recent changes to the pension law and how those changes affect Michigan’s seniors and working-class families.

For more information on Michigan’s new tax law, where you fit into the pension tax phase-in, and how much more you and your family will pay, please visit www.michigan.gov/taxes. Residents of Rep. Womack’s 7th District are also encouraged to contact his office with any additional questions by calling toll-free at (888) 596-6225 or by email at JimmyWomack@house.mi.gov.