We did it! In the early hours of the morning on February 23rd, the Michigan House of Representatives voted down House Bill 4001 to cut Michigan’s income tax 55-52 with bipartisan opposition. This was a major victory for Michigan’s schools, roads, public safety and other vital public services that we all depend on, as this bill would have slashed billions from the state budget. And this was a major victory for you, as the League and our supporters were instrumental in helping defeat this bill.
The odds were certainly stacked against us, and passage of a state income tax cut seemed like a foregone conclusion. But we knew the stakes for our state were too high and refused to accept that, and you did too.
With a budget impact of anywhere from $250 million to $9 billion, the League led the charge against repealing or cutting Michigan’s income tax. We spoke out against it as soon as we heard the idea was being discussed and at every subsequent opportunity we got, including the bill’s introduction, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, the governor’s State of the State address and his budget presentation.
The League also pointed out the significant struggles in Kansas after they cut their income tax, as did a blog from the national Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. And we compiled data to show that an income tax cut would largely benefit the wealthy.
To allow the people of Michigan to weigh in on cutting the state income tax, the League commissioned a statewide poll that showed voters opposed eliminating the state’s income tax without replacement 74% to 16%. This included people from all political affiliations and areas of the state. I also testified in opposition to HB 4001 at the committee hearing along with several of our partners representing Michigan’s schools and local communities.
But our most effective strategy was to engage with people like you across the state and enable you to reach out to legislators directly to voice your opposition to cutting the state income tax. To date, 1,110 Michigan residents have sent approximately 8,000 emails to Michigan legislators. This flurry of activity in the week leading up to the vote had a major impact, and we are extremely grateful to all of you who joined us in this effort.
We also have to thank all of our partner organizations, representing Michigan’s schools, colleges and universities, communities, infrastructure, businesses, hospitals, workers and more, who mobilized quickly and helped fight this attack on our way of life and the budget funding that sustains it.
The ultimate credit for stopping this bill, though, goes to the 55 legislators who stood up to intense political pressure and took a courageous vote against this proposal—especially the 12 Republicans who crossed party lines and voted no. If you haven’t already, please thank these 55 legislators. Since the vote, 584 people have sent 32,120 emails thanking these representatives, and we have heard from numerous lawmakers that this encouragement is truly appreciated.
While we have won this battle, the war continues. The House bill technically could be taken back up at any time. The Senate Finance Committee Chair has introduced a bill in the Senate to outright repeal the state income tax and is convening a work group on it. And as budget negotiations get underway, the process could be used to make cuts and generate the revenue to reduce the income tax.
So, we need to keep fighting. Successfully defeating this bill was a major coup, but we have to stay vigilant and engaged as many other attacks on state revenue are sure to come. Thanks again to our partners, the 55 Representatives who voted no, and all of you who helped stave off this disastrous bill. Michigan is better off because of you.
— Gilda Z. Jacobs
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
[…] again! I may be sounding like a broken record, but at least we’re stuck on a good song. For the second month in a row, I get to use this column to celebrate a big win and thank you for all you did to make it possible. […]