LANSING – The current state of the Michigan Business Tax is what legislators enacted, not anything the Department of Treasury created, Treasurer Robert Kleine said in response to recent legislator comments.
Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland) recently told Gongwer News Service that he would not have voted for the MBT as it is being implemented by the department. But Kleine, in a letter to Gongwer, said that is exactly what he voted for.
“I am certain Senator Kuipers understands that the State Legislature, not individual departments, enacts laws,” Kleine said. “Treasury staff simply administers the MBT as approved and enacted. Treasury did not determine the MBT’s tax base, did not set rates, did not determine who would pay under the new structure, and did not carve out specific credits and/or exemptions for special interest groups. (emphasis in the letter)”
The current surcharge on the tax is also exactly what legislators approved, Kleine said.
And he argued that the tax has, contrary to assertions by other candidates for the 2nd U.S. House District, provided tax cuts for many small businesses and leaves others exempt.
Kiupers could not be reached for comment Friday because his legislative offices were closed.
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