Rep. Beau LaFave today voted in favor of a common-sense plan to lower taxes for all Michigan families and seniors.

“The plan approved in this chamber today is fantastic work, and I fully support it,” said LaFave, of Iron Mountain. “We need to support the hard-working taxpayers in this state. And quite frankly, I think we can do more to help them.”

Currently in Michigan, when an hourly employee is asked to work overtime, they can receive one and a half times their pay. However, the worker isn’t the only one receiving additional funds.

“Not only do you get time and a half, but so does the tax man,” LaFave said.

According to LaFave’s amendment, once people put in their 40 hours of work in a week, their obligation to help fund the vital services of the state of Michigan is done.

“At that point, you put in your time, and the state appreciates it,” LaFave said. “Every hour worked beyond that should be your money to keep.”

Employees on a salary do not have the option to receive overtime pay.

“The same, however, goes for salaried employees. Just because they receive salaries doesn’t mean they don’t work overtime. They deserve to receive the full fruits of their overtime work as well. My amendment would allow $10,000 of additional compensation for salaried employees not subject to the income tax as well.”

“The governor claims she wants a tax cut just for those with pensions in this state,” LaFave said. “Legislators don’t want to discriminate against people with pensions, or those without.”

LaFave said: “Seniors have been struggling, and the government destroyed our economy by shutting down our state. Rolling back the state’s tax income tax rate to 3.9 percent is a great start to help citizens across the board, throughout Michigan. What we need to do now is spur economic growth, and allow citizens to be justly rewarded for work above and beyond what’s expected of them. I appreciate my Republican colleagues in both the House and Senate in negotiating from a position of strength. I look forward to continuing that work in helping those who are the hardest working amongst us.”

Senate Bill 768, which would provide $2.5 billion in annual tax relief to the people of Michigan, passed the House today and now returns to the Senate for further consideration.

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