LANSING, Mich. — State Representative Jaime Greene released the following statement regarding the House property tax package:  

“I support real, responsible property tax relief. Families are struggling, seniors are being squeezed, and homeowners across Michigan are feeling the pressure of rising costs. I understand that, and I believe we should be working to lower the burden on taxpayers.  

But I cannot support a property tax package that creates uncertainty for local governments, schools, and the essential services our residents rely on every day.  

This package is being sold as property tax relief, but when you read the bills, it is much more complicated than that. It repeals existing revenue sources, changes how taxable value works when homes are sold, eliminates remaining personal property taxes, and creates a new 6 percent tax on services to try to backfill the losses.  

That is not simply tax relief. That is a tax shift.  

My biggest concern is what happens to our counties, townships, cities, and villages if the replacement money does not keep up. Local governments fund the services people count on every day, including police, fire, EMS, roads, parks, libraries, veterans services, senior services, courts, jails, and basic local operations.  

If Lansing changes the property tax structure without a guaranteed and reliable replacement, local communities are left with the consequences. That could mean service cuts, higher fees, new millage requests, delayed road projects, or local officials being forced to come back to the state for help.  

The funding mechanism in this package does not give me enough confidence. HB 5880 creates a new services tax and places the money into a reimbursement fund, but if the fund is short, schools are paid first and municipalities are second in line. Local governments would be prorated if there is not enough money.  

That is not a guarantee. That is a risk.  

I am also concerned that the reimbursement structure does not fully address the long-term local revenue loss caused by ending uncapping on principal residences. That loss compounds over time as more homes sell and taxable values do not reset. Local governments could be dealing with the impact for years.  

I want property tax relief, but I want it done responsibly. Before we make major changes to Michigan’s property tax system, we need a dedicated, reliable, and protected revenue sharing structure that makes sure local governments are not left holding the bag.  

This is about protecting taxpayers, but it is also about protecting the services taxpayers depend on. A good headline today is not worth a local budget crisis tomorrow. 

I am ready to keep working on real tax relief, but I cannot support a plan that shifts the burden onto local communities and asks taxpayers to simply trust that the new funding mechanism will work.”