State Rep. Jack O’Malley, of Lake Ann, today issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a $2.5 billion tax cut and pension relief plan recently approved by the Legislature. The income tax would have been reduced from 4.25 percent to 3.9 percent for all individual payers under the proposal, with a nonrefundable child tax credit worth $500 for each qualified dependent. Exemptions on income for people 62 and older and retirement income would have seen some seniors eligible for savings of $40,000 as a single filer or $80,000 filing jointly:

“Everyone stood to save from this plan. So far, the governor has only put forth ideas with targeted relief and only certain people would save. This was broad relief in an unprecedented time when everyone is feeling a strain on their finances.

“Legislators have spoken with many people about the burdens they are facing from rising costs on everyday expenditures. Inflation has taken a real toll, and we acted on these concerns quickly because people need help now.

“I’m puzzled and completely disappointed in the governor’s action. This was a chance to provide some real relief to workers, families and seniors. Instead, they’ve gotten half-hearted, disingenuous lectures about sustainability – as their tax dollars have been used to bloat state spending by billions over the past few years. They know that’s all a pile of baloney.

“It seems like returning money to taxpayers to help them better afford food and gas isn’t sustainable to the big government bankroll that Gov. Whitmer wants to have on hand. That was the clear message sent with these vetoes. I will keep working to find solutions that work for the people – and their budgets.”

#####