What was that again about the SBT being such a job killer, driving companies away? Refresh my memory...
24 Hour News 8 has learned three, possibly four, deals are close to becoming reality.
Greenville City Manager George Bosanic has confirmed negotiations are in the works, bringing new businesses and hundreds of jobs back to Greenville.
"We are blessed with a 200-acre industrial park," said Bosanic. "I have actually three or four companies that are right now negotiating with the city of Greenville and with the state of Michigan on locating in that park. And collectively that means hundreds of jobs to this community, which is very fortunate. We're very fortunate to have this opportunity."
The city says it is working with over 30 companies also showing interest in locating at existing sites or the industrial park. Already, over the past few months, Bosanic tells us Greenville has landed eight new companies employing 460 workers.
Target 8 Investigators worked the phones and spoke with leaders at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Mike Shore of the MEDC tells us, "The governor has put a priority on Greenville. Several deals are out there and nothing has been nailed down."
If negotiations go well, more jobs could be on the way, said Bosanic. "We're very confident that we're going to be making some announcements here very shortly."
And what of the petition to get the SBT killed at the ballot box? I mean, it's such a horrible thing that business should be lining up to take on this fight, right?
Ooops, guess not.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's fight to end the state's Single Business Tax will continue for at least another week.
He missed his first self-imposed deadline Tuesday to raise $800,000 he said he needs to begin a petition drive that would force the Legislature to vote on the issue.
After 12 days of fund-raising, Patterson had firm commitments for $350,000 and verbal pledges for $100,000 more.
Patterson has been working with National Petition Management, a California-based company. Company officials said March 1 is the last date that they realistically could start a petition drive. If the pledges don't come in, "My drop dead date is Wednesday morning. We'll decide then whether to fish or cut bait," Patterson said.
Well, if Patterson doesn't succeed, there's always those whackjobs in the legislature who are willing to take up the cause.
A group of anti-tax lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday to repeal the state's main business tax in 2007, providing a potential shortcut for Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who is contemplating a petition drive aimed at the same result.
The bill would eliminate the Single Business Tax -- and about $1.9 billion in revenue it generates -- on Sept. 30, 2007.
The SBT is scheduled to expire at the end of 2009, but Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature have been unable to agree on an alternative tax plan. Granholm said she opposes reform that does not provide for replacement revenue.
Republicans are hell-bent on destroying the quality of life in this state. Quite frankly, this bill is a big waste of time if it doesn't provide for an alternative- you know it will get vetoed in a heartbeat.