"But, but, but....we wanted to cut revenue now so we could take it out on the poor and the sick and the elderly and the middle class taxpayers later!", said Michigan Republicans.
LANSING - The slow progress toward reducing business taxes in Michigan hit another bump Monday after Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed two bills, killing the entire tax-cut package.
Businesses had hoped the package of cuts and tax credits - some of which would have taken effect Jan. 1 - would make it past the Democratic governor's desk after passing the Republican-led House and Senate.
But Granholm said Monday the two bills she vetoed would have created huge new tax loopholes she could not accept, and blamed Republicans for tying the bills together so that vetoing one or more meant the whole package died.
The governor was able to sign bills setting up a $1 billion investment fund to encourage the growth of high-tech businesses and life sciences companies over the next 10 years.
Republicans had thought the investment bills also were tied to the tax-cut package.
< insert Nelson Muntz > Haw Haw! Gotcha. My Governor be wicked smart.
Now, we shall commence with the belly achin'.
But Granholm said she checked with the office of Republican Attorney General Mike Cox in determining that the investment fund could still go forward because those bills weren't tied to the bills she vetoed.
GOP legislative leaders reacted angrily to the move, blaming Granholm for killing business tax cuts on the same day that General Motors Corp. announced that it will cut about 30,000 of its North American manufacturing jobs and close 12 facilities by 2008, including four in Michigan.
"Major restructuring announcements are expected over the next few months from automakers and their suppliers and Michigan needs to give job providers relief now. The governor had the opportunity today to do something to help manufacturing in Michigan and she failed," GOP House Speaker Craig DeRoche of Novi said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, said it was shameful that the governor abandoned immediate tax relief for businesses.
His spokesman, Ari Adler, said the Legislature will return next week as scheduled and begin work on another package of tax cuts.
Sikkema still wants to see tax cuts take place by Jan. 1, Adler said, but that leaves little time for lawmakers to get the job done in the month remaining.
Well, Ken, what's really shameful is that you would write a $2 billion dollar hole in the tax law and not come up with a way to pay for it. Furthermore, you did it after the agreement was announced, so that kinda makes you a weasely little back-stabber. And now you have the audacity to complain about how little time there is when you clowns have had nine months to do something about this.
You tried to pull a fast one on the taxpayers, and she told you to stuff it. Boo fuckin' hoo. Come up with a fiscally responsible plan, and she will sign it in a heartbeat.
But thanks for not taking any credit on the bipartisan investment plan that can move Michigan out of dependence on the auto industry and towards a future that can't be outsourced. You were so busy bitchin' about your failed coup attempt that you missed the opportunity to score some points here. Good job.
And a pox on both your houses for pointing at the GM announcement for political gain. Y'all could have given it a few days- it just didn't seem right yesterday.
So, put down the beer and chips get back to work.