FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2017
Contact:
Alex Rossman
517.487.5436
arossman@mlpp.org
Strong majority says quality services, not tax cuts, lead to more and better jobs
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan lawmakers advocating to repeal the state’s income tax without replacement will find little support from voters—and almost no support once voters are told of the impact of repeal, according to a statewide poll commissioned by the Michigan League for Public Policy from EPIC/MRA.
The telephone poll conducted Jan. 30-Feb. 2 contacted 600 Michigan voters and has a margin of error of four points. The League asked questions to learn how voters feel about legislative discussions to eliminate the state’s income tax, which provides 40 percent of the state’s General Fund and School Aid Fund. Voters were also asked if they believe tax cuts or quality government services would best lead to more and better jobs. The results:
- Voters oppose eliminating the state’s income tax over time without replacement by 74-16 percent, with 45 percent of voters “strongly opposed.”
- When informed that the state income tax provides 40 percent of state revenue used for K-12, higher education and medical care for the poor, and that ending it means cutting those services, 87 percent oppose eliminating the income tax.
- Asked whether quality services or more tax cuts would be most effective in creating more and better jobs, voters supported quality services by 67-30 percent.
“It’s time for lawmakers to stop advocating for tax cuts and instead turn their attention to funding what voters and economists say truly make a difference in lowering unemployment and increasing incomes—quality education, reliable infrastructure, clean air and water and other services residents and businesses depend on in our state,” said Gilda Z. Jacobs, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
“If lawmakers really want to help the people of Michigan, they should listen to what they want. Those saying tax cuts will improve our economy are ignoring reality—and their constituents,” Jacobs said, noting that the state’s tax burden now ranks 36th in the nation according to state officials. “We’ve tried tax cuts to boost our state’s economy and it hasn’t worked, and the people of Michigan clearly see that.”
“Due in part to continued tax cuts, Michigan has experienced more than a decade of disinvestment in our state services and our people,” said Jacobs. “Many working families have yet to feel any economic recovery. Meanwhile, our residents are saddled with roads and water systems that are not safe let alone adequate, a struggling education system and college tuition that is sky high due to state budget cuts.”
More details on the survey follow:
1. Bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature would eliminate the state’s income tax over time over several years, but without replacing the revenue that would be lost. Do you favor or oppose eliminating the state’s income tax without a replacement of lost revenue? [IF FAVOR/OPPOSE, ASK: “Would that be strongly or somewhat?”]
| 7% | | Strongly favor |
| 9% | | Somewhat favor |
| 16% | | TOTAL FAVOR |
| 73% | | TOTAL OPPOSE |
| 28% | | Somewhat oppose |
| 45% | | Strongly oppose |
| 11% | | Undecided/Refused |
Opposition to an income tax elimination without replacement, even over time, was strong and across the board. Looking at party identification, 68 percent of Republicans opposed ending the income tax (37 percent strongly opposed), 79 percent of Independents said they were opposed (36 percent strongly opposed) and 78 percent of Democrats were opposed (57 percent strongly opposed).
In Macomb County, 66 percent of voters said they were opposed to this type of legislation; only 16 percent supported and 18 percent were undecided. In Northern Michigan, 69 percent of respondents opposed, 16 percent supported and 15 percent were undecided. In West Michigan, 78 percent opposed and only 9 percent favored eliminating the income tax.
The poll then informed voters about the cuts that would be required if the income tax were eliminated – and found opposition increased even more.
2. Today’s state income tax provides $4 of every $10 used for Michigan’s K-12 schools, higher education, medical care for poor children, the disabled and other state programs. That would mean cutting support for local schools, closing universities or requiring higher tuition, and cutting health care for poor children and the disabled. Knowing that, let me ask you again, do you favor or oppose eliminating the state’s income tax without replacing the lost revenue? [IF FAVOR/OPPOSE, ASK: “Would that be strongly or somewhat?” AND CODE BEST RESPONSE]
| 4% | | Strongly favor |
| 4% | | Somewhat favor |
| 8% | | TOTAL FAVOR |
| 87% | | TOTAL OPPOSE |
| 35% | | Somewhat oppose |
| 52% | | Strongly oppose |
| 5% | | Undecided/Refused |
Virtually every group expressed strong opposition to repealing the income tax after being informed about the cuts that would be required.
Looking at party identification, 81 percent of Republican voters opposed eliminating the income tax after being informed, with 42 percent strongly opposed, compared to 90 percent of Independent voters and 94 percent of Democrats.
Those surveyed were also asked about what they thought was the most important thing state government could do to create more and better jobs and improve our quality of life.
3. Which of the following two statements comes closer to your view? [ROTATE TWO PARAGRAPHS BELOW]
- The most important thing state government can do to provide more and better jobs and a higher quality of life for Michigan families is provide a quality education, good roads and transportation, quality public services like safety, water, fire protection, parks and libraries that create an environment in which people want to live, work and run a business.
- The most important thing state government can do to create more and better jobs and improve the quality of life in Michigan is to cut taxes for individuals and business. That’s what really creates more and better jobs and will make our state a better place to live and work.
| 67% | | Statement 1 — provide a quality education, good roads & transportation, & quality public services |
| 30% | | Statement 2 — cut taxes for individuals and business |
| 3% | | Undecided/Refused |
By more than two to one, respondents said that the best way to deliver more and better jobs is through providing quality public goods – not cutting taxes. Support for quality services was highest among Democrats (83 percent saying services and 14 percent supporting lower taxes), but even self-identified Republicans backed better services over tax cuts, 53-44 percent.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on economic opportunity for all. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
