HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2011.02.09 - 10517MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 11030
BY: Commissioners David Woodward, District #18
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE
PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION THE MICHIGAN EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for low to
moderate income workers. For tax year 2010, the maximum federal EITC for a person or
couple without qualifying children is $457, with one qualifying child is $3,050, with two qualifying
children is $5,036, and with three or more qualifying children is $5,666; and
WHEREAS the EITC was cited by President Ronald Reagan as "the the best anti-poverty bill,
the best pro-family measure, and the best job creation program ever to come out of the
Congress of the United States; and
WHEREAS Michigan adopted a state Earned Income Tax Credit for the 2009 tax year which
provides a credit equivalent to 20% of the federal EITC but is not refundable; and
WHEREAS 800,000 lower-income working families claim the Michigan EITC; and
WHEREAS in 2006 nearly 54,000 Oakland County working families received $92 million in EITC
to help afford basic family needs; and
WHEREAS using 2006 estimates, those same working families received more than an
additional $18 million in tax relief via the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit to help meet
family needs; and
WHEREAS some members of the Michigan Legislature are proposing to raise taxes on nearly
800,000 lower income working families and their children by $330 million; and
WHEREAS by eliminating the EITC, the average tax hike on poor families will be $400.
Meanwhile, a family with a taxable income of $500,000 is going to get a tax cut of $500 from a
scheduled income tax cut taking effect October 1, 2011; and
WHEREAS without the EITC, an estimated 14,000 children in working families will be plunged
into poverty and hurt children in 800,000 families; and
WHEREAS studies show about 20 percent of adults who spend more than three years in
poverty as a child will not receive a high school diploma. Michigan needs policies that create
more college graduates — not more high school dropouts; and
foregoing resolution.
1
efi-a-iVerson, we move in adoption of t
Commissioner David Woodward
District #18
Commissione
District #
COrnirnissioner
District #
, : / Commissioner
District /
WHEREAS when a family receives its Michigan EITC check — which averages about $400 -- it is
spent quickly on home repairs, auto repairs (helping ensure working families can get to work),
children's needs, heating and lighting bills, and other local purchases; and
WHEREAS Patrick L. Anderson, of the Anderson Economic Group, stated in a report that called
the E ITC an effective piece of public policy; and
WHEREAS the Michigan League of Human Services, the Michigan Catholic Conference, and a
growing number of other organizations are forming a coalition to preserve and protect the
Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit; and
WHEREAS the EITC is most often claimed by people who are waitresses, janitors, grocery
cashiers, child care aides, nursing home workers, cooks, farm and agricultural processing
workers, dishwashers and others who work hard and long hours at low-paying jobs. It is only
available to those who work.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby supports the preservation and protection of the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners opposes any
legislative efforts to decrease or eliminate the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners authorizes our
county commission lobbyist to assist in coalition efforts to support protection of the Michigan
EITC.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Oakland County
delegation of the Michigan Legislature, Governor Rick Snyder, all county media outlets, and the
Michigan League for Human Services.
Commissioner
District #
Commission&
District #
Cberimissioner
District #
Commissi9n
District 14//
Co ir missioner
a.trict
tiLf.
. Comm issioner
District #
Commissioner (-,/
District #
Commissioner
District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Commissioner Commissioner
District # District #
Resolution #11030 February 9, 2011
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.