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Higher Taxes Would Offer Little for Ottawa Schools

Millage money more fairly shared, but promises little results

… add a regional enhancement millage to this November’s ballot. Millages are taxes assessed on a home … the ballot. This type of millage has been available to the … million regional enhancement millage in fall 2016, and Kent County … the regional enhancement millage funds. Charter public schools, … more

‘No reason to fear a charter school,’ West Bloomfield treasurer told school board

But board voted anyway to tear down Roosevelt Elementary, build new school with millage money

… school. The West Bloomfield school board voted Monday night to demolish Roosevelt Elementary School in Keego Harbor. The board also voted to seek a millage from local taxpayers to build another elementary school. In so doing, it rejected a $1.7 million offer to buy and renovate the century-old building. … more

A $4.6 Billion Transit Millage Is a Tax Too Far for Detroit

Time to question the benefits of the Regional Transit Authority

… Michigan in Northwest Detroit. The Mackinac Center’s analysts haven’t dug deeply into the RTA’s plans and assumptions surrounding its $4.6 billion millage request on November’s ballot. But the rhetoric from the RTA leadership in attendance was troubling — even before we look at the numbers. Longtime … more

School District May Have Crossed Legal Line in Tax Request

Pinckney Superintendent's email on millage renewal raises questions

… was “asking voters to renew” a multi-million millage raises questions whether the district crossed … asking voters to renew a 6-year Non-Homestead Millage of 18 Mils.” The six-year millage passed last night and will raise about $3.7 million … more

School Districts Spend Tens of Thousands On Losing Millage Requests

Districts across the state choose to hold funding requests during low turnout elections

… of those elections proved fruitful for the districts as voters passed millage, bond and sinking fund requests. But nine districts were unsuccessful, … not help us at all related to the timelines." ~~~~~ See also: Local Millages Coverage Legislators Chip Away at Proposal A Property Tax Limits more

District's Millage Urgency Claims Don't Match Facts

Alcona Community Schools official says money needed to stop flow of huge staff cuts

… an effort to drum up support for an upcoming millage, Alcona Community Schools Superintendent Shawn … Alpena News ran its article with the headline: “Millage needs to pass for Alcona Schools” However, state … District is proposing a regional enhancement millage that would raise about $5.6 million for four districts. … more

The public will be heard: a lesson from Patmos Library

What did we learn from a failed millage for a West Michigan library?

… the Detroit Free Press. What followed was a millage renewal that failed. The public spoke, and it … Library officials will try another, smaller millage in November, but the Freep reports that if that … in it, and then continue to fund it whenever millage-renewal time comes up? Government employees serve … more

Reject a Tax Hike? It'll Be Back

Wyoming residents soundly reject millage, school board puts it back on the ballot

… voters and their voice,” he said. Larson said if the voters had passed the millage in November, the school board wouldn’t come back three months later to … get ‘Yes,’” Larson said. Other schools have attempted to get rejected millages back before voters in a matter of months. In Eaton Rapids, 57 percent … more

Pro-Gas Tax Hike Democrat: Never Seen A Public Willing To Tax Itself

Yet, local voters have approved 549 millages taxing themselves for roads and more

… needed.’” Last year, 549 ongoing property tax millage levies had been approved by local voters, all … revenue to roads. They included 21 additional road tax millages approved by local voters just between 2015 and … local communities voted to approve 36 new school millages for an additional $1.5 billion in revenue. more

School Hosts Advocacy Session for Tax Hike in Front of Students

Politicking on the taxpayer dime

… Vassar Public Schools held an event which explicitly advocated for a school millage request. A panel that featured a private citizen and a group of administrators … bond. Jones also notes that Vassar residents have a significantly higher millage rate than citizens in surrounding communities. They pay a total of 37.8 … more

Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage for Core Services

… double their existing public safety millage to maintain services. Financial data … an increase in its public safety millage from 1.00 to 1.95 mills for 10 years … township. Pittsfield Township’s millage is common among municipalities that … Public Policy, said public safety millages are like used car dealers who try … more

Use Taxpayer Money to Call for Higher Taxes? Not Within Two Months of the Vote

New law: Schools, cities, can't call for tax hikes 60 days before an election

… district sent out a flier shortly before a bond millage that read, “Preserve Our Heritage. Fund Our Future.” … finance a public relations scheme in order to pass millages and bond proposals,” said Eric Doster, the general … school districts to say anything about local millage and bond questions," the MASA posted on their … more

Voters Reject Detroit-Area Transit Boondoggle

… for public policy prudence and humility with the defeat of the 20-year millage proposal to fund mass transit expansion in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw … side of the road and with a two-year waiting period before any future millage could be placed in front of voters, Metro Detroit’s leaders should focus … more

Yard signs at Cheboygan senior center advocate for senior millage

‘It looks terrible,’ said one election law expert. But is it illegal? It depends

… visitors to “Vote YES on senior millage renewal.” The Sand Road Senior … advocating for a government millage, on government property. … its Senior Citizens Service Millage, which expired in December. … funds generated from this millage are divided up between the … throughout the county.” Millages are fine. They raise money … more

Local Police/Fire Millage Votes Show Local Politicians’ Bait and Switch

… local police and fire “enhancement” millages on the ballot. These public safety … to approve a general property tax millage increase.  Or alternatively, ask voters to approve extra millages for those lowest priority services. … asking for extra police and fire millages. When you buy a car you expect it … more

Michigan Road Funding at Record Levels Without Proposed Tax Hike

Lawmakers should be aware of the amount currently being spent on roads

… local roads, and those figures are counted here. But the resources that local governments generate to spend on their own roads from property tax millages are not included. Finding the historical records on state spending and comparing them with recent data was harder than it may seem. Things in Michigan … more

Cost of School Millage Approvals Inflated Because of Prevailing Wage Law

Taxpayers hit with an extra $35 million in costs because of law that favors labor unions

One thing voters did not get to decide in recent school millage elections was whether they wanted to pay higher wages for the construction projects that were approved in districts across the state. Yet that's what will happen because of the state's prevailing wage law, which mandates that union scale … more

How They Sold $17-Plus Million Spending Hike as $10 Million Cut

A pitch mailed by the Kalamazoo Public Schools to a local nonprofit asking for help passing a millage hike on May 5 included the following: “For many years, the state has underfunded public education, and local school districts have needed to make significant budget cuts as a result.” The letter also … more

'Taxpayer Burnout' Likely At Play In Rejection Of Grand Rapids Community College Millage Request

… traditionally favorable time for millage approvals, and more than 100,000 faculty, … voters would approve the millage by a 24 percent margin after … over an unrelated transit millage increase that was narrowly … property tax revenue.  The millage had the support of some of … $150,000 in support of the millage and posted their names in … more

Legislators Chip Away at Proposal A Property Tax Limits

Legislation would break 1994 promise to taxpayers

… Proposal A’s restrictions on new millage requests. According to a 2009 … expanding the use of sinking fund millages have been introduced, both by … type covered by Proposal A millage limitations. Three weeks … in debt for technology. "A millage for school security or technology … future debt. A sinking fund millage raises X amount each year … more

How Local Governments Advocate for Tax Increases

Senate bill 571 looks to curb abuses

… any communication to residents that mentions an upcoming property tax millage election within 60 days of the vote.” Gov. Snyder has yet to sign the … to say the district was “asking voters to renew” a multimillion-dollar millage. Saline High School posted a video on its website in 2011 that featured … more

Troy Trounces Tax Hike

… vote margin Tuesday. The millage, which called for a 1.9 mill … just after midnight. The millage would have generated $37.7 … the city. By defeating the millage, the citizens saved $196 on … fighting mad.” The anti-millage group Troy Citizens United … a campaign to defeat the millage. They had a Web site and held … more

Local Government Stories

… Percent More Spending Per Kid and One-Ninth the Average Health Co-Pay Ten Total Fires and $30K in Average Overtime Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage for Core Services April Hartland Teachers to Share in Belt-Tightening Town Rescinds 'Unconstitutional' Tea Party Sign Ban School District Saves … more

Fox2 Detroit misstates impact of declining school enrollment

Some Michigan schools have larger payrolls than current conditions allow

… get some but not all of their money from enrollment numbers, Van Beek told CapCon. Districts also raise money for school buildings through local millages. Enrollment numbers do not determine how much a district gets from those taxes. When asked about the statement that school boards may have to close … more

Macomb County City Deletes Former Official's Criticism from Website

'It's just a shame' city won't present the full picture on tax hike

… misleading voters about an August millage, which is promoted as a public … deceive citizens about the millage, and that the higher tax will … what’s going on with this millage. It’s just a shame,” Stahl … residents to vote yes on the millage while not using the words … lecture she gave about the millage proposal. She said the video … more

644 Michigan Communities Levy Local Road Taxes

That’s at least $151.5 million annually on top of state road taxes

… voter-approved local road millage that took effect in 2017. … that levy a dedicated road millage. The Mackinac Center for Public … collected by 570 of those millages by looking at local government … The largest annual road millage levied by a local unit of … the city of Warren. A road millage in the city of Southfield … more

Commentary: What's the Deal With K-zoo Transit Tax Bills?

… that impose two separate millage levies, when 59 of their GOP … allow for a differentiated millage - meaning one millage with different rates for various … line haul service at one millage rate, and one comprised of … response service) at another millage rate, but both under a single, … more

You Can't Do That: Township's Taxpayer-Funded Tax Hike Electioneering

Expert says the law means what it says on this one

… advocating a “yes” vote on a millage question likely violates state … a three-year property tax millage that would cost the average … household for three years. The millage would give the department … assessment” rather than “millage.” “When we sent the flier … residents we printed the word millage in error,” Bishop said in … more

School Districts Manipulate Headlee Tax Limits for More Money

Districts game the system at taxpayers' expense

… expenses. So when current school millage authorizations are due to … received a 19.6292 operating millage authorization. Voters in Adrian … reductions” refers to potential millage rate rollbacks mandated by … school districts must cut millage rates by an amount sufficient … approve higher “just in case” millage rates in advance. Called “phantom … more

Troy to Explore Extensive Privatization

… duties comes as the city has put a 1.9 millage increase for five years on the ballot that will be voted on Tuesday. The millage would generate $37.7 million over … But Szerlag said that even if the millage passes, he could layoff up to 90 … said. One Troy resident against the millage increase wonders why it took so long … more

City Pays Public Safety Officers Nearly Twice Residents' Incomes, Repeatedly Requests Tax Hikes

Average Oak Park police officers make $86K per year in salary

… Park residents approved a 1-mill millage that runs through 2020. Then on May … voters approved another 1.14 mill millage that runs through 2021. Oak Park … Average Overtime Local Police/Fire Millage Votes Show Local Politicians’ Bad Faith Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage to Fund Core Services Commentary: … more

School District Spent $275,000 in Public Dollars on Tax Hike Vote

Kent County taxpayer-funded campaign was ‘extremely biased towards an affirmative vote’

… $275,206 on its May 2 enhancement millage victory, according to documents obtained … districts to receive the benefit of the millage beginning next school year, and local … governmental body, working to promote a millage result,” said Eric Larson, president … usually in a very biased way — any millage.” more

City Claims Significant Workforce Cut; Budget Says Otherwise

Analyst: '[E]xploiting voters' fear of crimes to extract more money...'

… increase via a public safety millage, saying it has made signficant … 1.14 mills Public Safety Millage for 10 years. Voters approved a 1-mill Public Safety Millage last year, but the city now … values. The city says the new millage will cost homeowners on average … a critic of public safety millages. “There’s no such thing … more

Happy Anniversary Proposal A

… rollback of property tax millage levels, made possible by increasing … from those rolled back local millage rates with money from the … certain types of local school millage increases. It introduced a … rollback of school operating millages have largely evaporated. … through large capital spending millage increases in off-cycle, low-turnout … more

Troy Voters to Decide $196-Per-Home Tax Question

… jobs. The city has put a 1.9 millage increase for five years on … be voted on Tuesday. The millage would generate $37.7 million … Troy resident opposed to the millage. “People have had their overtime … resident who opposes the millage. “Everyone is cutting back, … Gosselin, R-Troy, who opposes the millage. ”Other towns will look for … more

Anatomy of How to Kill a Tax Hike

… spearheaded groups fighting against millage hikes for schools, libraries, … said using public safety millages is often like trying to make … public safety ‘enhancement’ millage money goes into the same pot … end, these ‘public safety’ millages are about preserving those … was one of only a few major millages to be defeated. While the … more

Are Michigan Voters Really Ready to Pay Higher Taxes?

… an evaluation of the local millages in the August primary. Its … How many times has that millage been before the voters? They … misplaced, however: targeted millages used to pay for core government … support for a fire or police millage than one for non-core functions. … likely to say "no" to extra millages to support municipal golf … more

Voters In More Than 700 Michigan Towns Said ‘Yes’ To Local Road Taxes

While Lansing squabbles over how much is really needed

… state data and records indicates the number of communities imposing road millages is more than 700. The amount of money raised locally and spent locally … each year. In Oakland County, for example, 15 municipalities impose road millages on property owners. In Wayne County, another 15 municipalities collect … more

City: Vote 'Yes' On Tax Hike or You May Die

… is asking voters “to approve” the millage and states the tax increase would … mailings before the public safety millage was approved last fall. He called … “Using phrases like, ‘Why do we need a millage increase?’ and the tax hike will … coffee per week’ and passing the millage ‘can mean the difference between … more

Dearborn schools show how to handle a library controversy

The school board listened to the public and removed seven books, as their fate is reviewed

… Township declined to approve the library’s renewal millage in August, by a margin of 62.5% to 37.5%. The operating millage accounts for 84% of the library’s budget. Library officials will make an attempt at a smaller millage in November. more

City Taking In More But Manager Cries Poverty

Municipalities with growing revenue blame state for not adding even more dollars

… reforms and two voter-approved millages. “Cities cannot cut their … to the passage of a street millage. “This millage contributed an additional … grown, it is from an increased millage, not an increase in taxable … Taxable Value growth, and it is millage increases that have allowed … more

College Pays $75 Fine For Illegal Electioneering

President used taxpayer-funded equipment to ask for $7.1 million tax hike

… Plymouth and part of Canton. The millage increase, which Schoolcraft … When the college proposed a millage increase three years earlier, … wrote “Support of our Nov. 6 Millage Restoration.” Both emails … line “Support of our Nov. 6 Millage Restoration.” On June 8, … employees before the 2018 millage vote are typical among government … more

School District Seeking Tax Hike Challenged on Dollar Figures

Macomb ISD claims a loss of $103 million, but spending and compensation have all been rising

… million special education millage on Nov. 8, but local taxpayers … district that advocates for the millage. But a look at the fiscal … website advocating for the millage, “Teachers and other education … money. “Our opposition to the millage is plain and simple: This … lead the fight against the millage. Haddad is a local activist … more

Taxpayer Funded Electioneering in Full Swing Before May 2 Tax Votes

Officials claim messages ‘presenting factual information’ (wink, wink)

… approve two property tax millage levies that were up for renewal. … February 25th for the school millage renewal.” The state elections … sustain support for the current millage rate, and renew the current Special Education millage rate of 1.55 mills.” When … current Special Education millage rate of 1.55 mills. There … more

Top DIA Officials Receive Huge Raises While Running Deficit, Raking in Taxpayer Money

Detroit Institute of Arts director sees compensation increase from $455K to $514K

… after voters approved a three-county $230 million millage for the Detroit Institute of Arts, its top two … Oakland counties approved a 10-year, $230 million millage for the DIA. “They’ve managed to put the interests … Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, who opposed the DIA millage. “That’s quite a feat. … They were able to put … more

Michigan budget delivers $2 million curling center in Traverse City

Traverse City breaks out the brooms for pork project in shuttered Kmart

… over the county director’s plan to raise the millage rate for veterans affairs, taking it from the … one telling the Traverse City Record-Eagle, “A millage here and another millage there all add up.” Neither Roth nor Sen. Wayne … more

A City At the End of Its Rope

Allen Park strikes out with subsidized film studio; can't get concessions from government unions and is forced to request an emergency manager

… city residents also are dubious of a millage request the city is making on the … ballot. Residents are worried the millage will not be capped and that it will … City residents turned down a similar millage request in November. Bob Armstead … Now they’re asking us to vote on a millage to bail ‘em out. A lot of people … more

School District Used Second-Graders to Urge Tax Vote

West Bloomfield district employee feeds lines to children

… was pressing to have two operating millages renewed. As part of the campaign, … vote on February 25th for the school millage renewal.” This caused one resident … from referencing an upcoming bond or millage election in any taxpayer-funded communication … considered resolved. The renewal millages passed. more

Wrist-Slap For Sheriff’s Illegal Electioneering Irks Council Member

Deputies were sent to public meetings with ‘VOTE YES’ pro-tax hike messages

… township meetings about a proposed millage increase and handed out a brochure … stated, “Vote Yes 2018 Public Safety Millage.” The Secretary of State found that … have continued to advocate for the millage tax increase using taxpayer-funded … Hikade said there has not been a millage increase in a while and there was … more

Government Golf Gobbles Up Lansing City Budget

… covered these expenses by taking money from its general fund and parks millage. “No city can maintain money-losing golf courses and legitimately cry … government?” There have been news reports of the possibility of another millage increase in Lansing. And the city sent layoff notices this summer to 44 … more

Metro Transit Tax Ad's False Claims About Riders With Disabilities

If the tax hike fails, buses will continue as usual

… to me.” She asks voters to support the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) millage on the ballot in November. ForTheRecord says: Even though the advertisement … increases the number of opt-out communities in SMART’s service area, the RTA millage itself could end up causing individuals with disabilities to “lose their … more

Jackson County Tells Voters To Show ‘Love’ For Parks

Michigan pretends to ban taxpayer-funded electioneering, local governments pretend to comply

… The information was for purpose of educating citizen on need/ purpose of millage proposal and does not ask them to vote yes," said Jeff Hovarter, the Jackson … circulation published by the Citizens Committee that formed in support of the millage. They raised their funds to support signs and mailings." The parks department … more

Four-County Bus Tax Failed in 2016; Politicians May Go For Three Counties In 2020

Bus ridership declining in region, and more people walk to work than ride

… leading metro area officials are looking to put a regional property tax millage on the November 2020 ballot in Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw counties. If … Macomb County, rejected a similar proposal for a 20-year, 1.2-mill transit millage. Voters in Wayne and Washtenaw counties approved the measure, which was … more

School District’s Use Of Sign-Waving Children To Electioneer For Tax Hike Probably Not Illegal

District silent so far on whether teachers and students were taken out of class for this

… think that’s against the law,” den Engelse said. He said he opposed the millage increase because “we’re spending so much on education already ... and the … finance attorney, said allowing district facilities to be used by a pro-millage group, such as the Facebook group, is permissible as long as access would … more

School Districts Increase Taxes On Residents Without A Vote

Oceana County property owners will pay an extra $1 million per year for ISD

… Taxpayers in Oceana will now have to pay the higher millage rate assessed in Mason-Lake. According to the Oceana County treasurer, the higher millage rate will cost Oceana County property owners $150 … Superintendent Larry Lloyd promised that most of the millage increase money will be sent back to Oceana, but … more

Teachers Unions Gave $180,000+ To Misleading Macomb Tax Hike Campaign

Tuesday ballot proposal would cost property owners $55 million annually

… schools) is Robert Ross. The so-called enhancement millage was placed on the March 10 ballot by the countywide … Macomb County deserve the very best and this millage will put them on a more competitive playing field.” … explanation. For example, the group has stated that the millage would curtail bullying within the district but … more

Property Tax Protections Assaulted Again by House

Eleven GOP members vote to undermine Proposal A

… elections for so-called "sinking fund" millages so as to increase the amount of money … voters, was to put an end to local millage elections for operational funding … against a return to these local millages are such that some legal experts … the Legislature to reinstate the millage votes. If true, this would require … more

School Tax Votes: When ‘No!’ Means … ‘Maybe Later?’

Districts that lose bond elections and quickly reschedule new ones

… their voice,” he said. Larson said that if the voters had passed the millage in November, the school board wouldn’t come back three months later to … until they get ‘Yes,’ “Larson said. Other schools have attempted to get millages back before voters within months of a rejection. In Eaton Rapids, 57 … more

Charter Teachers Get No Pensions, Amendment Would Make Schools Pay Anyway

A House Republican and a Senate Democrat introduced same measure, both defeated

… pension system as a condition of receiving money, known as enhancement millages, collected by intermediate school districts. It was defeated in a voice … conventional school districts. The change would apply to future enhancement millages only, not to ones that have already been approved by voters. But few … more

DIA Gins Up PR Battle Against Kevyn Orr

… and Wayne counties to fork over a 10-year, 0.2 millage. The millage is funding an endowment for operating costs, which … emotional tactics that helped pass last summer's millage. Namely, declare that the DIA's very existence … more

Keeping Government Entities on Track

A Case Study

… running a public library, and the 1996 operating millage ballot language restricts use of this general … property valuation,” said Galic. The library millage in Ann Arbor is 2.0 compared to 1.1 for the Traverse … programs; Internet connectivity; technology; millages; operating income and expenditures; capital income … more

I'm Just a BIll

… many cases. HOUSE BILL 4017 (Allow nonresident property owner to vote on millages) Introduced by state Rep. Richard LeBlanc, D - Westland The bill proposes to allow nonresident property owner to vote on local property tax millage elections. SENATE BILL 8 (Ban Wal-Mart bank) Introduced by state Sen. … more

School District Exaggerates Funding Loss by $66 Million

… out a brochure explaining why it needed a $27 million special education millage that is set to be voted on Nov. 8. There are a few claims that bear a … in 2007-08 to $1.242 billion in 2009-10. “They are trying to sell this millage based on declining revenue when the reality may be increased spending,” … more

Liberal Economist: 'Mostly White' Oakland County Deserves the Blame For Detroit's Problems

County official: 'He doesn't understand what he is talking about'

… city of Detroit. Oakland County taxpayers voted to support a three-county millage that goes to fund the Detroit Zoo, which is located within Oakland County in the city of Huntington Woods, as well as a millage for the Detroit Institute of Arts. Oakland County has also given $500,000 … more

Here's How Much Michigan's 'Prevailing Wage' Law Costs Your School District

Taxpayers paying hundreds of millions extra

… district in the state from Alpena to Zeeland.” “By the way, Zeeland passed a millage proposal for a project last night (May 5),” Fisher continued. “If not for … saved taxpayers $8 million. Last night overall, in districts that approved millage increases, the prevailing wage cost taxpayers over $25 million.” The new … more

Charter Schools Face Funding, Facility Inequities

Legislation, possible legal showdown could help shrink gap

… districts collect extra dollars through voter-approved regional enhancement millages and share the proceeds among school districts on a per-student basis. … state’s charter school campuses are located in the six ISDs with active millages. If SB 574 were in effect, legislative staffers estimate, the funding … more

Holland government broadband proposal follows troubled history

Other cities have broadband projects short on customers and swimming in debt

… “including food and gasoline, and we don’t see local governments proposing millages to build more grocery stores or gas stations, or to subsidize the costs of grocery stores and gas stations through millages.” Bolema, who is on the board of scholars at the Mackinac Center for … more

Analyst: Firefighter Overtime Reform ‘Watered Down’

… employee unions ahead of taxpayers,” McHugh said. ~~~~~ See also: Ten Total Fires and $30K in Average Overtime Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage for Core Services Historic Levels of Government Employment in Michigan Commentary: Government is Not a Jobs Bank Jackson Considers Cutting Cops … more

Michigan Senate Takes Up Bill to Ban Government Union Stewards Working on Taxpayers' Dime

… teachers sits on the Michigan Education Association’s board of directors. Chippewa Valley asked residents to approve a $27 million special education millage increase last November, which ultimately failed. Michael Van Beek, director of the education policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said previously … more

Grasping At Taxes to Pay for Pensions

Schools, municipalities get creative

… the volume of tax hikes that Pennsylvania has, it may be around the corner. Allen Park, currently in emergency management, passed a public safety millage that will partially go to shore up underfunded police and fire pension systems. The increased contributions required by the pension system is one … more

Transit: So Popular it Needs to be Subsidized

Michigan Proposal 1 spends an extra $116 million on mass transit

… account for between 13 percent and 18 percent of the funding for operating expenses, according to federal reports. Most funding comes from local millages, general funds and the state.” ForTheRecord says: Public transit: So popular that 80 to 90 percent of the costs have to be picked up by taxpayer … more

Don't Blame Lack of Money for Deplorable Conditions in Detroit Schools

DPS is a top-spending district for operations and infrastructure

… owners) intended to improve the physical condition of the city’s schools. The magnitude of this spending is revealed by the fact that infrastructure millages approved in 35 other districts that year came to $583 million. On the operations side, Detroit Public Schools received more money per pupil in the … more

Tax Hike Election Coming to You Tuesday?

Proposals to restrict local elections to the state primary or general election stall

… May, August, or November. In 2011, the state enacted another requirement affecting elections, which was that school board elections (though not millage elections) be held in November of an even-numbered year. The Legislature has considered bills in recent years to restrict local property tax votes … more

Detroit Schools Deteriorated, Questions On $500 Million Bond

Public still awaits the full story

… While the media coverage focused on the poor conditions of the schools, it did not mention that in November 2009, taxpayers approved a $500.5 million millage for DPS, specifically to improve the condition of the district's buildings. Miller wrote in The Washington Post: “I wonder why my students are left … more

Grass Roots Tax Group Helps Defeat Big Metro Transit Tax

Anti-tax group outspent $3.4 million to $54k

… statement that the lack of a transit system will continue to hamper economic development in the region. “The extremely narrow defeat of the proposed millage for regional transit is a deeply disappointing setback for efforts to create a modern transit system that would position southeast Michigan to be … more

How to Get a Property Tax Hike: Spend Big on Democratic Political Consultant

West Michigan taxpayer dollars were hard at work this spring — promoting higher taxes

… amount spent by the ISD on the measure. Another $133,000 covered the costs of running the election. The property tax increase, dubbed an “enhancement millage,” is projected to extract around $20 million more each year from property owners. The money will be distributed to regular school districts, which … more

Accountability? Nothing Appears Closer To Eternal Than A Failed Detroit School

Watch what they do, not what they say — or even what the law requires

… require intermediate school districts to share with public charter schools some of the property tax revenue they may receive in the future from new millage requests. Among other things, the information pack given to school board members for the meeting included details about state efforts to make districts … more

State Rep. Howrylak Explains Why He Believes Charters Should Pay Into Public School Pension System

… bill that was defeated. The amendment would have had charter schools contributing to the public school employees pension fund if they accept county millage tax revenues. He offered his rationale below for why charters should contribute despite not having many employees enrolled in the pension plan: There … more

Local Governments Get a Raise From Property Tax Payers

Tax limits still allow plenty of growth

… million more for the state’s six-mill education property tax, most of which will also go to school districts. Property taxes are limited in Michigan. Millages authorized after 1978 need to be approved by local voters, and rates are automatically reduced if property values in a local government’s area grow … more

Townships Rolling In Dough, Spending On ‘Nice To Haves’ Not Just ‘Need To Haves’

… $1.5 million in funding from the state of Michigan for the pedestrian improvements. Half of the funding from the state will combine with the local millage and grant funds to extend the path north toward an eventual connection with the Border-to-Border Trail. The other $750,000 of the state funding will … more

Reality Check

It may sound good, but is it true?

… received a tax credit of 25 percent of that amount, or $1,406.29.   Troy Millage Facts Troy Citizens United has a Web site to support the group's efforts to defeat a proposed millage increase on the ballot Feb. 23. Under the section on the Web site called … more

How Public School Funding Works

… "categorical" grants described below), and other non-operational revenue from millages levied to pay debt service on long term capital investments like new school … property tax discussed above, there are also separate "local" revenues from millages levied by regular and intermediate school districts. Most of the former … more

The Unstable Funding Myth

… express frustration at the system's limits on their power to increase millage rates, but it has provided a remarkably steady revenue stream over time. … source of instability: "(T)he reliance on the often unpredictable nature of millage elections to determine the districts operating revenue ... has been virtually … more

Schools That Break State Election Laws Face Just "Speeding Ticket" Fines

… $100 fine. Handwritten notes by the state investigator show that the pro-millage committee treasurer’s response to the campaign finance accusation was also … of 2010, the Lansing School District put out a flier for a sinking fund millage that stated: "Preserve Our Heritage. Fund Our Future." A school district … more

Violating Neutrality

State rules that favorable statements from schools about ballot proposals do not break election law by expressly advocating for 'yes' votes

… public bodies to remain neutral when presenting information on bonds and millages. However, the department has ruled that schools may “communicate with … advocacy.” And school districts have shown they can promote a bond or millage while steering clear of the loaded terms. For example: Proposal 5 of … more

MichiganVotes.org April 22 Weekly Roll Call Report

… Introduced Bills of Interest Senate Bill 270 (Authorize school recreation millages) Introduced by Sen. John Gleason (D) to allow school districts to also … money passing through a "sinking fund." Note: Since new operating expense millages were prohibited by the 1994 Proposal A initiative, and these items may … more

Despite Deficit, Some Dearborn Top Officials Got Boosts in Pay

… City workforce.” Mayor O’Reilly then stated the city was raising the millage rate to the legal limit and would ask to raise that limit by putting it … corrected to say that Dearborn Mayor John O'Reilly asked to raise the millage rate on the November 2011 ballot, not November 2012 as previously reported. … more

Poor Cities' School Districts Receive the Most Funding

In Michigan, poverty at home doesn't translate to a poorly funded classroom

… School districts receive thousands of dollars more per student from local millages, ISDs, special education, and other funding sources. Flint Community … fund revenue. Schools also receive thousands more per pupil from local millages, ISDs, special education, and other funding. “It's clear that these school … more

Debate Rages Over How Often Government Pushes For A 'Yes' Vote on Tax Hikes

… homeowners. Importantly, the video did not use the words “Vote Yes” for the millage hike. Those words would have transformed this clear example of government … residents could die or their house could burn down if a public safety millage was not approved. Municipal and public school officials (and their advocates) … more

Public Bus Fares Cover Less Than 20 Percent of Costs

… total operating costs, according to CATA Spokeswoman Debbie Alexander. Needing more money to sustain operations, CATA asked for an increase in its millage in 2008. It was approved for a 0.787-mill tax increase for five years ending in 2012. For a home valued at $100,000, it meant about an extra $39 in … more

Public Fares Don’t Cover Costs

… total operating costs, according to CATA Spokeswoman Debbie Alexander. Needing more money to sustain operations, CATA asked for an increase in its millage in 2008. It was approved for a 0.787-mill tax increase for five years ending in 2012. For a home valued at $100,000, it meant about an extra $39 in … more

Green Buses Driving Costs Higher

… Lansing’s CATA has 21 hybrid buses and is replacing the older diesel buses with the costlier green buses. CATA has gone to voters in its last two millages and asked for increases, both approved. O’Toole said it is part of a public relations campaign by transit agencies to endear themselves to taxpayers, … more

School Advocacy in Bond Elections Questioned

… statements that the sinking fund would contribute “to a more nurturing learning environment for our kids” and that the fund would be created by “a slight” millage increase. Bob LaBrant, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs and General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, took exception to the … more

Ten Total Fires and $30K in Average Overtime

… cooperate, and the relatively tiny number of dangerous fires that seriously threaten the community.” ~~~~~ See also: Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage for Core Services Historic Levels of Government Employment in Michigan Commentary: Government is Not a Jobs Bank Jackson Considers Cutting Cops … more