Vote 'yes' on Proposal 1 on Aug. 5 statewide ballot

LANSING, Mich. – AARP Michigan announced today its endorsement of Proposal 1 on the Aug. 5statewide ballot, which stabilizes funding for local government services, helps small businesses without raising taxes and modernizes Michigan’s tax system.

“AARP Michigan supports Proposal 1 because it solves two major problems without raising taxes,” said Thomas Kimble, Volunteer State President for AARP Michigan. “It eliminates a non-competitive tax on local small businesses, and keeps local communities whole so they can continue to provide vital services that will make them more age-friendly, including senior centers, health programs, assisted living facilities, public transportation, police and fire protection, and more.”

            AARP Michigan joins an increasing number of Michigan businesses, local governments and public safety organizations endorsing Proposal 1. The proposal guarantees that 100 percent of the estimated revenue lost by eliminating the Personal Property Tax will be replaced.

            “Support continues to grow for Proposal 1 as voters learn more about it,” said Tim Dye, spokesman for Michigan Citizens for Strong and Safe Communities, a bipartisan coalition of tens of thousands of Michiganders from across the state supporting Proposal 1. Members include representatives from local government, small business, labor, education, law enforcement, and other state and local leaders.

“Proposal 1 keeps in place the Michigan Legislature’s bipartisan work to end the antiquated, unfair double tax on personal property, which most neighboring states don’t charge their businesses,” Dye said. “It also creates a stable, reliable funding system for Michigan communities to pay for police, fire, ambulances, jails, schools, libraries, roads and other important services – all without raising anyone’s taxes.”

 Proposal 1 is not a tax increase and it is not a constitutional amendment. It is on the ballot because Michigan requires voters to approve certain changes to the way taxes are distributed. If passed, Proposal 1 is expected to result in an additional 15,000 jobs and $450 million in additional investment, according to the Anderson Economic Group.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a nationwide membership of more than 37 million, including 1.4 million in Michigan, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families.

For additional information on Proposal 1, see the Michigan Citizens for Strong and Safe Communities website at http://www.strongandsafecommunities.com/.