Republicans propel DeSantis to presidency; permanent tax cuts possible: Michigan Politics Guide

Good Sunday morning, folks.

The Michigan Legislature is speeding back to work, with the first committee of the year scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 24. While it’s unlikely we’ll see major bill motions from most panels sometime in early February, it hasn’t stopped Democrats from unveiling the list of issues they’re prepared to tackle.

Chief among these is tax cuts. Both Democrats and Republicans have similar plans to lower retirement income taxes, as well as ways to boost tax credits for low- and middle-income families.

Until the two sides reach a resolution, working Michiganders may also see their income taxes rolled back permanently thanks to a 2015 automatic trigger law.

Regardless of the outcome, Michigan residents are likely to see some form of tax relief in this legislative session. The real question is when and how?

Either way, I’m still trying to find the national anthem of the week.

It’s safe to say that the Beatles’ “Taxman” has crossed my mind at least once a day since tax cuts were on the agenda. Pink Floyd’s “Money” also convincingly topped the list. As it turns out, Schoolhouse Rock does have a song that covers just about everything government does.

Taxes aren’t the only talking point this week, though.

From Republicans who may stay away from former President Donald Trump — looking for another 2024 presidential candidate in the South — to Democrats and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson looking to strengthen state election laws, here’s what you’ve seen over the past week Things you might have missed in Michigan politics.

As revealed in a letter made public this week, 18 Republicans currently serving in the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate are pushing for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to have his name included. 2024 presidential campaign circle.

The letter, hand-delivered by Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Cannon Township, states that if DeSantis runs for president in 2024, the group is “ready and willing to help (DeSantis) win in 2024.” Michigan.”

“In stark contrast to our current governor, we have admired from afar the leadership you have demonstrated,” the letter read. “You’ve stuck to the right policies and demonstrated that anything is possible when Republicans elect a leader with a firm command over the administration to implement the policies voters choose at the ballot box.”

All but two of the names in the letter have not been made public, except Posthumus and State Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington). Posthumus said that was intentional, noting that those who spoke on the condition of anonymity would not go public until DeSantis himself decides whether to run.

That puts the Michigan Republican Party in a somewhat odd position, with current MIGOP co-chair Mayshawn Maddock saying earlier this month that she is “very focused on winning Michigan for Trump.” While she is no longer running for her office — her successor is due to take office in mid-February — she is a prominent figure in the state Republican Party, especially among the grassroots and anti-establishment factions.

However, Posthumus’ letter shows that not everyone supports the plan and hopes to find a new party figure to support it, especially someone who brings “strong leadership, moral compass and life experience”.

Meanwhile, as the intra-party conflict brews, three Michiganders who voted for President Joe Biden in the Electoral College after the 2020 election are suing those who are trying to subvert the election by voting for Donald Trump. False electors with legitimate results.

related: Why Michigan Democrats may briefly lose two House seats this fall

While Republicans may be in turmoil over who to support in 2024, those in the legislature this week sent Democrats a unified message: Don’t meddle in a possible income tax rollback later this year.

friction? Democrats have not publicly indicated they plan to do so, and Republicans have been reluctant to say whether such conversations will take place.

The state highway financing law of 2015 provided for a permanent reduction in the state’s income tax rate if revenues in Michigan exceeded the rate of inflation too aggressively from one year to the next. Michigan’s current income tax rate is 4.25%, but it could drop to 4.05% this year due to a trigger.

With the 2021-22 financial year not yet over, state budget officials warned it was too early to say definitively whether there would be a rollback. However, state Treasury officials estimate Michigan will end the fiscal year with a $9.2 billion surplus, raising the possibility that all that cash could lead to cuts in state income taxes.

Instead, what we’re seeing now is Democrats taking action on smaller issues, such as approving $1.5 million to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to help them close their bills and outlining steps to strengthen and further fund Michigan’s electoral process priorities.

related: Despite $1.5M bill, Michigan redistricting team short on funds

Considering the creation of the 102nd Legislature, it’s no surprise that we haven’t seen much change in terms of actual bills. But that doesn’t mean there’s no legislation.

The Republican Senate has moved to ban TikTok on state government devices.

Sen. Lana Taisi (R-Brighton, R-Brighton), the sponsor of Senate Bill 15, said many users do not fully understand the threat the app poses and it should not be allowed to be used on “taxpayer-funded devices.” If her bill succeeds, Michigan would become the 19th state to ban the app from using some form of government equipment.

As this happened, Michigan religious leaders joined forces to push the state legislature to enact sensible gun laws to keep congregants safe — namely, by pushing for “red flag laws.”

Reforming Michigan’s gun laws, especially in the wake of the 2021 Oxford high school shooting that killed four students, has long been a Democratic priority and could see some progress this semester.

This week, Oxford students themselves pushed the legislature to pass “commonsense” laws on guns, such as imposing universal background checks and safe storage laws.

“The more we can feel safe, the more we can feel that gun violence is going to be a thing of the past or minimized, the more welcome we will be, the more we feel like we don’t have to be on guard,” said Rabbi Asher of the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC Lopatin said.

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