Voters are being asked to go to the polls next week to not only cast their ballots for candidates in various primary races, but also to weigh in on important statewide and county-level proposals that will impact businesses, school districts and public transportation. 

It is crucial to vote on these proposals because of the implications they have on communities across Michigan. 

Below are the proposals as they appear on the ballot, and additional information on what voting yes or no would  mean. 

Proposal 14-1

Approval or disapproval of amendatory act to reduce state use tax and replace with a local community stabilization share to modernize the tax system to help small businesses grow and create jobs.

The amendatory act adopted by the Legislature would:

• Reduce the state use tax and replace with a local community stabilization share of the tax for the purpose of modernizing the tax system to help small businesses grow and create jobs in Michigan

• Require Local Community Stabilization Authority to provide revenue to local governments dedicated for local purposes, including police safety, fire protection and ambulance emergency services

• Increase portion of state use tax dedicated for aid to local school districts.

• Prohibit Authority from raising taxes

• Prohibit total use tax rate from exceeding existing constitutional 6 percent limitation

YES [X] Replace the personal property tax (PPT)  with a state use tax revenue to help small businesses gain investments. The PPT tax is placed on objects such as computers, equipment and machinery, not land property. 

It would also separate the state use tax into a state share tax and the new local community stabilization share tax. The state share tax will be handled by the state, while the local community stabilization authority would manage the local community stabilization share tax, which will be a new position created by the proposal. Funds lost from the PPT would be replaced with funds from the local community stabilization share tax and given to the local government. A certain amount of the revenue will be given to schools and local services. 

NO [X] The removal of the PPT tax will be stopped because there is no solid plan for funds that need to be replaced for local governments. Businesses will be less likely to create new jobs, but in fact do the opposite and cut jobs. There could be less investors in Michigan businesses and business owners would also receive a big tax cut. 

Wayne County transit authority millage renewal  

If approved, this proposal will renew and increase the .59 mills formerly authorized to 1.0 mills for the years 2014 through 2017, and will allow continued support to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) for a public transportation system serving the elderly, handicapped and general public in Wayne County.

For the purpose of providing funds in support of public transportation serving the elderly, handicapped and general public, shall the millage be renewed and increased from .59 to 1.0 mills on all taxable property located within the Wayne County Transportation Authority area, and be imposed for a period of four (4) years, being years 2014 through 2017? It is estimated that if approved, this millage would raise approximately $17,080,998 in the first year.

YES [X] The new funding will provide the SMART public transportation with the money it need to improve busses and keep the business running. The bus system is an important part of Wayne County because it is the only major form of public transportation for people to get from city to city for work, school and other activities. 

NO [X] SMART will keep the same busses and system they currently have. More jobs could be cut and prices could go up because the lack of funding for the company. 

Pursuant to state law, the revenue raised by the proposed enhancement millage will be collected by the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and distributed to local public school districts within the boundaries of the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency based on pupil membership count. 

Shall the limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, Michigan, be increased by 2.00 mills ($2 per thousand dollars of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years, 2014 to 2019, inclusive, as new additional millage to provide operating funds to enhance other state and local funding for local school district operating purposes? It is estimated that 2 mills would raise approximately $80,000,000 when first levied in 2014. 

The revenue from this millage will be disbursed to the following school districts: 

Allen Park Public Schools, Crestwood School District, Dearborn City School District, Dearborn Heights school District #7, School District of the City of Detroit, Ecorse Public School District, Flat Rock Community Schools, School District of the City of Garden City, Gibraltar School District, Grosse Ile Township Schools, The Grosse Pointe Public School System, Hamtramck Public Schools, City of Harper Woods Schools, School District of the City of Highland Park, Huron School District, School District of the City of Lincoln Park, Livonia Public Schools, Melvindale – Northern Allen Park Schools, Northville Public Schools, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Redford Union School District, River Rouge School District, Riverview Community School District, Romulus Community School District, Romulus Community Schools, Southgate Community School District, south Redford School District, Taylor School District, Trenton Public Schools, Van Buren Public Schools, Wayne-Westland Community School District, Westwood Community Schools, Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, Wyandotte City School District. 

YES [X] The enhancement millage would give the school districts the extra money they would need to help balance their budget. Programs for the students will be affected because they are being cut to save money. The revenue will be spread out by each school district, to the areas that need the most help in their schools. 

NO [X] Budget cuts will continue for school districts and programs for students will be in danger of being reduced. A possible increase of students in each classroom will also be a result. Only state and local funding will be used to improve schools.