Michigan Taxpayers Archives - The Michigan Star

Michigan to Spend $506,000 Subsidizing Electric Boat Industry

August 16, 2023August 15, 2023 The Center Square

Michigan taxpayers will pay $506,000 to five private boating companies and one university to demonstrate electric boating potential on the Great Lakes, including shore-side charging stations.

“The Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge, along with today’s grant recipients, represent a critical investment in our water recreation infrastructure that will help to attract visitors, create jobs and preserve the natural beauty of our lakes and waterways for generations to come,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “By expanding access to e-boats and charging solutions, Michigan will further foster a thriving mobility ecosystem that supports local businesses, enhances community offerings and boosts overall economic growth.”

Michigan Taxpayers May Pay $25 Million to Move Racetrack 4.5 Miles

August 2, 2023August 1, 2023 The Center Square

Plymouth Township trustees have yet to say if Michigan taxpayers will shell out $25 million to move a horse racetrack 4.5 miles.

When the Northville Downs horse racetrack closes at this year’s end, it might move to Plymouth Township. Established in 1944, Northville Downs is Michigan’s oldest and only nighttime harness racing track.

Unemployment Insurance Scam Cost Michigan Taxpayers $550,000

July 14, 2023July 13, 2023 The Center Square

A Detroit resident pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $550,000 of taxpayer money with the help of a former Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency contract employee, announced U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

William Haynes, 26, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. Haynes admitted to engaging in a criminal conspiracy with Autumn Mims, a former contract UIA examiner for Michigan. Mims’s duties included reviewing, processing, and verifying the legitimacy of unemployment insurance claims.

Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for Michigan Taxpayer-Funded Business Subsidies

February 25, 2023February 24, 2023 The Center Square

A significant majority of the state’s voters support using taxpayer dollars to subsidize private businesses.

According to a statewide poll conducted by the Glengariff Group, Inc., and commissioned by the Business Leaders for Michigan, 76% of respondents favor government grants to businesses seeking to relocate or expand their footprint in the state.

Michigan Taxpayers Footing $57 Million in Private Business Subsidies

December 19, 2022December 18, 2022 The Center Square

Taxpayers will spend at least $57 million to retain or create jobs via Michigan Economic Development Corp. subsidies and local grants that they say will create or retain 1,846 jobs.

The subsidies include $29.4 million for a paper mill expansion, $13.2 million for a Monroe brownfield site redevelopment, $6.9 million for an electric vehicle supplier, $1.5 million for an Underwriter’s Laboratory, $3 million for Hoponassu OZ LLC, and $1.5 million to redevelop a property in Detroit.

Michigan Governor Signs $575 Million Bill Aiming to Address Teacher Shortage

December 15, 2022December 14, 2022 The Center Square

Michigan taxpayers are on the hook for another $575 million after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced new programs on Tuesday aimed at boosting the number of teachers in the state’s traditional public schools.

The fiscal year 2023 budget was approved by the state Legislature and signed by the governor.

Michigan Taxpayers Shell Out $5 Million for Lansing Concert Venue

November 13, 2022November 12, 2022 The Center Square

Michigan taxpayers will pay at least $7.75 million for a new entertainment venue in Downtown Lansing.

The Michigan Strategic Fund on Wednesday approved $5 million of taxpayer dollars for the venue. The Center Square reported the planned $21 million venue in February.

Michigan Taxpayers to Foot $951 Million for Electric Vehicle Battery Plants

October 9, 2022October 8, 2022 The Center Square

Michigan taxpayers are giving $951 million to two companies – Our Next Energy and Gotion, Inc. – to build electric vehicle batteries.

ONE claims it will create up to 2,112 jobs, and Gotion says it will create up to 2,350.

Michigan Taxpayers Footing $27 Million for Hemlock Semiconductor Expansion

September 13, 2022September 12, 2022 The Center Square

Michigan taxpayers are footing $27 million for a Hemlock Semiconductor Operations project that the company says will create 170 jobs at its Saginaw County headquarters.

The company says it is spending $375 million on a new project to meet the increasing global demand for hyper-pure polysilicon in the semiconductor and solar industries.

Michigan Taxpayers Funding $16.6 Million for Private Manufacturer

August 1, 2022July 31, 2022 The Center Square

Michigan taxpayers will give more than $16 million to a private manufacturing company, Gentex. The company is spending $300 million to expand operations over three years, which it claims will create 500 jobs.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce the subsidies to Gentex, a high-tech electronics manufacturer for the auto, aerospace, and fire safety industries.

Billionaire’s Project Gets $100 Million from Michigan Taxpayers

July 16, 2022July 15, 2022 The Center Square

Michigan’s 2023 budget will give $100 million to a billionaire’s pet project but no tax relief to 10 million Michiganders despite $7 billion leftover in the state’s bank.

The Center Square reported earlier this month that the $77 billion budget gives $100 million for the Detroit Center for Innovation, a new research facility operated the University of Michigan.

Michigan State Sen. Bullock Seeks $43 Million Annual Tax Hike to Fund Private Museums

February 6, 2022February 5, 2022 The Center Square

A Detroit lawmaker is pitching up to a 20-year, additional 0.4 mill tax hike to Wayne and Oakland County residents to fund museums – similar to the Detroit Institute of Art tax.

Sen. Marshall Bullock, D-Detroit, sponsored Senate Bill 653 that would apply only to counties with a population over one million – narrowing to the above two counties to fund the Detroit Historical Society and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Report: Line 5 Pipeline Disruption Would Cost Upper Peninsula Taxpayers Tens of Thousands of Dollars

September 17, 2020September 16, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

A new report challenges efforts conducted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and Attorney General Dana Nessel to not only shut down the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac but prevent its replacement with a $500 million tunnel 100 feet below the lake bed.

The report also challenges 14 recommendations published last April by the Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force, a group established by the governor and chaired by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Director Liesl Clark.

Michigan Taxpayers to Foot Major Portion of $20 Million Lincoln Motor Co. Redevelopment

August 28, 2020August 27, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Michigan Strategic Fund has agreed to subsidize a major portion of a proposed $19.7 million redevelopment of the former Lincoln Motor Co. headquarters in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood of Detroit.

More than half of those funds will derive from public taxpayer assistance, including a $5 million state grant, $2.7 million in additional tax transfers, and another $3.4 million in tax breaks.