A top Republican lawmaker is strongly criticizing Governor Whitmer’s proposal to raise taxes on some businesses while providing relief to retirees and low-income workers. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said Wednesday that “taking actions like that would be doubling down on stupid.”
The Democratic governor outlined the tax overhaul in her budget Tuesday. It’s an attempt to reverse parts of a tax rewrite enacted by her Republican predecessor. Shirkey says Michigan shouldn’t return to “old” tax policies and must stay focused “on what we’ve been doing the last eight years.” He also says drivers cannot “absorb” Whitmer’s proposed 45¢ per gallon fuel tax hike, though he agrees $2.5 billion is needed to fix the roads.
Whitmer says the business tax increase would offset lost revenue from aiding seniors and low-wage workers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
