FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-1 PAGE
Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Brandt Coultas, V.P. of Government Affairs
(734) 214-0101, brandt@annarborchamber.org

Members of the Chamber Public Policy Committee met with State Representative Fulton Sheen (R-Plainwell) recently to discuss the elimination of the single business tax and replacement revenue sources.  Representative Sheen chairs the House Tax Policy Committee in Lansing and will play an integral role in vetting potential replacement plans. 

It looks as though the single business tax will be repealed this year and will cease at the end of 2007.  Oakland County Administrator Brooks Patterson’s petition drive is wrapping up, and assuming the signatures collected are validated; he will have enough to put the issue on the ballot in November if necessary.  However, the SBT will probably be eliminated without a vote of the people.  If the Board of Canvassers certifies that a statutory initiative has gathered the required number of signatures, the proposal goes first to the legislature which has 40 days to approve the proposal (simple majority vote of both houses). If the legislature approves the proposal during the 40 days, it becomes law without the Governors signature and can not be vetoed.  It is likely that the legislature will approve this by a simple majority because they have previously passed legislation eliminating the SBT that has not been signed into law.

Representative Sheen expects discussions on a replacement plan to pick up speed after the November election.

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