HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2022.07.19 - 37487BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
July 19, 2022
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #22-254
Sponsored By: David Woodward, Robert Hoffman
Board of Commissioners - Resolution Encouraging the Governor and Michigan Legislature to
Significantly Increase the State Earned Income Tax Credit
Chairperson and Members of the Board:
WHEREAS the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was enacted in 1975 to provide tax relief for low
and moderate -income households with work -related sources of income; and
WHEREAS it is a refimdable credit against taxes on income earned, meaning that under certain circumstances,
the EITC can result in a net contribution to household income; and
WHEREAS the EITC is a proven anti -poverty tool, lifting 5.6 million people, more than half of whom are
children, out of poverty nationwide; and
WHEREAS Michigan, along with 28 other states and the District of Columbia, enhances the federal EITC with
a state credit; and
WHEREAS Michigan's state EITC, with strong bipartisan support, previously sat at 20% of the federal EITC
until it was dramatically reduced to 6% in 2011; and
WHEREAS in tax year 2019, about 738,380 working Michigan families benefited from the state EITC; and
WHEREAS in 2019, about 56,420 families in Oakland County benefited from the state EITC; and
WHEREAS in 2019, about $7.47 million was put back into Oakland County's local economy by virtue of the
state EITC; and
WHEREAS every $1 brought into a community through the EITC generates $1.67 in economic activity; and
WHEREAS the EITC positively impacts small businesses and strengthens local economies by increasing
household spending power and helping lower -and -moderate -income workers afford basic needs; and
WHEREAS according to the MSU Center for Economic Analysis and the Product Center 2019 analysis, the
EITC benefits urban, suburban, and rural residents alike; and
WHEREAS the EITC also drives improved educational outcomes for children and ultimately increases the
chances of students being able to attend and/or afford college; and
WHEREAS even before COVID-19's negative impact on the state's economy, far too many working residents
were struggling to cover the basic cost of living with 1 in 6 Michiganders - and 1 in 5 Michigan children - living
in poverty and, according to the ALICE Report, 38% of households in the state, the vast majority of whom are
working, are struggling to afford a basic monthly -budget; and
WHEREAS leaders from across the political spectrum from President Ronald Reagan to President Barrack
Obama have been strong supporters of the EITC for the many benefits identified above; and
WHEREAS at 6%, Michigan's current EITC is one of the weakest in the nation; and
WHEREAS in the last year, both Democratic and Republican leaders in Michigan have expressed support for a
significant increase to the state's EITC, including Senator Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) who has
introduced a bill to increase the EITC to 30% of the federal, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) who listed an
EITC increase as a priority in her 2022 State of the State address; and
WHEREAS twelve Chambers of Commerce throughout the state, including the Detroit Regional Chamber,
along with a wide variety of community stakeholders including the Small Business Association of Michigan,
Oakland University, Michigan Nonprofit Association, and Michigan Association of United Ways are actively
encouraging a significant increase to the state's EITC; and
WHEREAS for all the reasons listed above, an increased EITC would provide clear, immediate and tangible
benefits to Oakland County residents and businesses.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners calls upon the
Governor and members of the Michigan Legislature to include a substantial increase in Michigan's Earned
Income Tax Credit in the FY 22/23 state budget.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward
copies of this adopted resolution to all Oakland County cities, villages, and townships, the Governor of the State
of Michigan, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the State Senate Majority and Minority
leaders, the State House Speaker and Minority leader, and the members of the Oakland County delegation to the
Michigan Legislature.
Chairperson, the following Commissioners are sponsoring the foregoing Resolution: David Woodward,
Robert Hoffman.
Date: July 19, 2022
David Woodward, Commissioner
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Date: July 25, 2022
Hilarie Chambers, Deputy County Executive II
Date: July 28, 2022
Lisa Brown, County Clerk / Register of Deeds
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2022-06-23 Full Board - refer to Legislative Affairs & Government Operations
2022-07-12 Legislaive Affairs & Government Operations - recommend to Board
2022-07-19 Full Board
VOTE TRACKING
Motioned by Commissioner Kristen Nelson seconded by Commissioner Michael Gingell to adopt the attached
Resolution: Encouraging the Governor and Michigan Legislature to Significantly Increase the State Earned
Income Tax Credit.
Yes: David Woodward, Michael Gingell, Michael Spisz, Karen Joliat, Kristen Nelson, Eileen Kowall,
Christine Long, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Thomas Kuhn, Chuck Moss, Marcia
Gershenson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Penny Luebs, Janet Jackson, Gary
McGillivray, Robert Hoffman, Adam Kochenderfer (21)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: (0)
Passed
ATTACHMENTS
None
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on July 19, 2022, with
the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have heretmto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan on Tuesday, July 19, 2022,
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk /Register of Deeds