This amendment is an attempt to, again, protect the taxpayers of Michigan by keeping them from being saddled with increasing taxes. A vote for it protects our taxpayers. A vote against the amendment is a nod that people want to see higher taxes across the state of Michigan. I urge support.
Senator Singh’s statement is as follows:
I just wanted to make one clarification. There currently are three elections that are provided in state law: a primary, a general election, as well as this currently May election. All we’re doing is moving that May election, as we’re moving the primary to February. So, there will continue to be three elections as there are today. This is not a new election, it’s just a different date.
Senator Albert’s statement is as follows:
I just wanted to also clarify that we did, not too long ago, have a February election. There was a February election that was removed somewhere around 10-12 years ago or so, and I guess it’s worth asking the question, Why was the February election removed? Well, because many seniors are not in the state of Michigan during that time, and they should have a fair say of what their property taxes are going to be. We shouldn’t have an election where a good portion of our taxpaying residents are not able to vote. So, I think it’s just worth recognizing that we did have a February election, there was a good purpose for it to be removed, and it was in fact removed. If we want to continue to have three elections, then maybe we should choose a different time to do it, but in the winter, when so many of our seniors are gone, is not a time to do it. I encourage support of this amendment.
Senator Theis’ statement is as follows:
I just wanted to bring up some technical points. If we have a February election, that means the primary ballot and the mail-in ballot and early voting will happen in mid-December, just before Christmas. People are not focused on voting; they’re focused on their families at that point in time. It doesn’t make sense for us to have an additional election in February. To the extent that we can limit it, we should, and obviously our Governor kind of agrees with that, or she might have called the 35th District for February.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 692, entitled
A bill to amend 2012 PA 387, entitled “Regional transit authority act,” by amending section 10 (MCL 124.550).
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: