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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2007.04.05 - 93544. Miscellaneous Resolution #07089 BY: Commissioner Robert M. Gosselin, District #13 RE: Board of Commissioners- Protecting the People of the State of Michigan from Increased Utility Taxes TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen: Whereas the State of Michigan is struggling through a severe, economic recession that is negatively affecting families of all income levels, causing a decrease in those income levels; and Whereas businesses are closing due to over regulation and excessive taxation and a decrease in business activity consequent to families exiting Michigan to other States that offer better and more opportunity for adequate income; and Whereas the State of Michigan is experiencing an all-time high record of homes 'for sale' and homes in foreclosure due to this recession; and Whereas businesses are closing their doors, resulting in fewer jobs for the families of Michigan, as well as increasing the need for families to seek medical care and food for their families; and Whereas the Government of the State of Michigan has continued to spend excessively with little regard for the wrongfial deficit spending it has not corrected; and Whereas Speaker of the House Dillon seeks to relieve this budget mismanagement by imposing yet more taxes on the people of the State of Michigan by way of taxing utility companies that will pass these additional taxes onto the people of the State of Michigan; and Whereas this new tax is a hidden tax on Michigan homeowners, renters, and businesses and is a gift to the two largest utilities in the State of Michigan; and Whereas such a tax increase will effectively eliminate competition for these large utility companies by decreasing or destroying some or possibly all of the small energy supply utility companies that were established since the deregulation law from 2000 that did reduce rates charged for power; and Whereas those people who can least afford to pay this tax will be hurt most by this new tax. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is requesting that Speaker of the house Dillon and the Michigan State Legislature not increase taxes of any kind, and especially not in the form of a utility tax on services to the people of the State of Michigan and its businesses that provide jobs. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners respectfully requests Oakland County Clerk, Ruth Johnson, to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Governor Jennifer Granholrn, Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop and other Oakland County Senators, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and other Oakland County State Representatives. Chairperson, we move the a ion of theforegotag P54olu1ion. ommissioner Ro District #i3 jqLQ tiOL-(i?st- Commissioner Bill Bullard, Jr., Dist r t1 Gosse Conmeissioner thigh . Crawtbrd, District 49 g2 Commissioner Tim Burns Commissioner Eric Coleman District 419 District 423 Commissioner David Coulter 'Commissioner Sue Ann Douglas District #25 District #12 Commissioner Marcia Gershenson District 417 Coinmissioneyrdie1ie1 J. cii)fgell District 43 Commissioner Tim Greinicl District #11 Commissifinir Bradford C. Jacobsen District # Com‘rnissioner Christine Long District 47 Commissioner Jim Nash District #15 1111Ir iore'. COMMiSS Ofle ct # 4?]. Coi`nrnissioner J61-in A. Scott ----15istriet 45 roller Jeff Potter Corn District WS Commissioner Dave Woodward District #18 Commissioner lielaine Zack District #22 ilP Chairperson Vice Chairperson Commissioner Vincent Gregory District #21 Commissioner Man ic Hatchett District #10 ' (Cortimissioner Eileen T. Ko District #6 4 Commissioner Thomas F. Middleton District #4 Commissioner Karen Spector District 416 Commissioner George W. Suarez District 024 Resolution #07089 April 5, 2007 Moved by Gosselin supported by Scott to suspend the rules and vote or MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #07089 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - PROTECTING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN FROM INCREASED UTILITY TAXES. As a point of order, Commissioner Burns wanted clarif;cation of the title of tne resolution. Vote on motion to suspend the rules: AYES Gingell. Gosseiin, Greimel, Jacobsen, KowaII, Long, Middleton, Potter, Potts, Rogers, Scott. Bullarc, Crawford. Douglas. (14) NAYS. Gregory, Hatchett, Nash, Spector, Suarez, Woodward, Zack. Burns, Coulter, Gershenson. (10) A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #07089 - BOARD OF COMUSSIONERS - PROTECTING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN FROM INCREASED UTILITY TAXES carried. Moved by Gosselin supported by Douglas the resolution be adopted. Discussion followed. Paul WeIday. Legislative Lobbyist for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, stated to the board that House Speaker Andy Dillon was going to introduce his comprehensive reform package today and that possibly would be introducing this bill. Discussion followed. Commissioner Gosselin withdrew the motion. Chairperson Bill Bullard, Jr. deciarea a recess at 1 :13 a.m. Meeting called to order at 11:16 a.m. Roll called. PRESENT: Bullard, Burns. Coulter. Crawford, Douglas, Gershenson, Gingen, Gosselin. Gregory. Greimel, Hatchet, Jacobsen. Kowal, Long, Middleton, Nash, Potter, Potts, Rogers, Scott, Spector, Suarez, Woodward, Zack. (24) EXCUSED ABSENCE PER MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #04228. Coleman. (1) Quorum present. Commissioner Gosselin stated he wanted the Board to vote on the resolution. Discussion followed. Commissioner Douglas withdrew support for the resolution. Discussion followed. Commissioner Douglas re-supported the resolution Vote on resolution: AYES: Gosselin, Jacoosen. Kowall, Long, Middieton, Potts, Rogers. Scott, Bullard, Crawford, Douglas. Gingell. (12) NAYS: Gregory. Greimel. Hatchett, Nash, Potter. Suarez, Zack. Coulter. (8) A sufficient majority not having voted in favor, the resolution failed. Board Rules state that there must be at least 13 votes for a resolution to be adopted.