1/13/14 - A local lawmaker says the stateâs winter revenue estimating conference brought good news, but others maintain it came at a cost to many of Michiganâs most vulnerable. Legislators met Friday to get an update on the economy and an estimate of how much more tax revenue is coming in before they work on the next state budget. State Representative Bill Roger, a Genoa Township Republican chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 Education, says word that state revenues will increase by around $1 billion over earlier projections is a reflection of improving economic times in Michigan. "We went from a lost decade in which we lost population, the only state in the United States, and now we've ticked up. It may not be totally discernible, but we have moved up and we have jobs coming back." However, Republican Governor Rick Snyderâs Democratic challenger, Mark Schauer, said the surplus was, "...directly attributable to Gov. Snyderâs deep cuts to education, and higher taxes on seniors, middle class families and the working poor.â He called for more money for schools and restoration of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the child tax credit, which was also eliminated in setting the budget for the 2012 fiscal year.(JK)
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