Bulletins
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MITA has been busy working in recent weeks on a number of important issues affecting the heavy construction industry. Bulletins have recently been posted on the ongoing proposed changes to the Michigan Business Tax and MITA has asked members to contact their legislators (click here). There have been several other issues in
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Thursday, November 8, 2007, the Michigan’s Design & Construction Coalition (MDCC) offered an estimated 20,000 middle and high school students the opportunity to “test drive” various construction and engineering-related careers during the Michigan Youth Engineering & Science (YES!) Expo held at Detroit’s Ford Field. The goal of the Expo, which
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MITA is urging members to contact their legislators’ offices today to tell them what another 30-percent increase in the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) would do to your business. Click here for a sample letter. The House voted last week to eliminate the state’s controversial new service tax and replace it with
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On November 8 Congress delivered its first override of a veto by President Bush to approve a $23 billion bill that authorizes water infrastructure projects sought by lawmakers of both parties. The Senate voted overwhelmingly (79-14) to override the veto, with a majority of Republicans and Democrats rejecting Bush’s assertion
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ACTION NEEDED: Legislators Look to Replace Service Tax with Increased MBT; Corporate Taxes Would Skyrocket 30% The House voted yesterday to eliminate the state’s controversial new service tax and replace it with a special 30-percent surcharge on the new Michigan Business Tax (MBT). The state Senate is currently working on
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On November 6 a bi-partisan coalition in the House easily overrode President George W. Bush’s veto of a bill that authorizes high-profile projects in Michigan. The Senate is expected to follow suit November 8. The House override vote was 361-54, with all 15 Michigan members, including nine Republicans, breaking with
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President Bush announced his long anticipated veto of legislation to authorize $23 billion for projects aimed at improving navigation, flood control, environmental restoration, water supply and storm damage reduction. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), H.R. 1495, would also provide some funding for water, wastewater and combined sewer overflow projects.
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There has been significant discussion in recent days regarding the repeal of the new sales tax on services and adding an M.B.T. surcharge to offset the loss. As currently being discussed, such a proposal would have a disastrous effect on the entire construction industry. According to various reports, the added
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Since the passage of the new Michigan Business Tax, many in the heavy construction industry have asked whether their construction equipment should be classified as industrial or commercial for purposes of personal property taxes and credits. The State Tax Commission recently provided some clarification in this area. Click here to download
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Now that the much-debated income tax and sales tax on services are in place, the Legislature and governor are quickly working to finalize the FY 2008 budget by the October 31st deadline. Because the Transportation budget is based off gas tax and vehicle registration revenues, there is little discretion in
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MITA has been consistently opposed to cities applying local hiring preferences and will continue to strongly oppose those types of local ordinances. The following is an update on recent local preference issues in Detroit and Lansing. City of Detroit On November 1, 2007, executive order 2007-1, “Utilization of Detroit Residents