Tax incentives: Michigan taxpayers deserve info, transparency
Testifying Thursday before a Senate panel considering sunshine legislation related to tax credits given to film production companies doing business in Michigan, an MEA representative told lawmakers that there is a “troubling lack of clear evidence” that tax incentives create good jobs and grow Michigan’s economy.
The Senate Finance Committee approved Senate Bills 796 and 889 to require the state film office to provide more information to the public about jobs created by film production companies receiving tax incentives. A recent report commissioned by MEA found that Michigan lacks sufficient data to effectively measure whether tax incentives create, attract, or save jobs.
“Michigan taxpayers deserve detailed information and transparency when it comes to how their tax dollars are spent,” Teri Battaglieri, a special assistant to MEA President Iris K. Salters, told lawmakers.
MEA didn’t weigh in on the specific Senate Bills approved by the Senate Finance Committee Thursday, but Battaglieri shared some of the findings from the report on tax incentives.
Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, said greater public disclosure – for example, how many new jobs are created as a result of tax credits and whether those jobs are filled by Michigan residents – would help lawmakers determine whether the tax credits are beneficial to the state.
Related:
Report commissioned by MEA on tax incentives
Teri Battaglieri’s comments before the Senate Finance Committee
Updated: October 9, 2009 7:33 AM
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