Bulletins

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

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

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

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

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.

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

This week Gov. Granholm signed the state transportation budget, after a month-long delay because of wrangling over general fund tax increases. As predicted by MITA over the past year, the state road and bridge program will see a sizeable $300 million – or 18 percent – cut due to lack

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

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

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

Creating a new sales tax on services after midnight has its drawbacks. In the dead of night last weekend, legislators passed a plan to put a sales tax on some services. Included in the new tax were various “consulting” services and “landscaping” services. At the same time, policymakers exempted construction