A plan from State Representative Bill G. Schuette that will provide financial relief for seniors in the Four Lakes Area while helping low-income and permanently disabled individuals across the state stay in their homes was advanced today by the Michigan House.

“Today, we stood up to protect low-income seniors and others from costly and unfair financial burdens that come from special assessments,” Schuette said. “The 2020 dam failures and flooding were not the fault of local residents in the Four Lakes Area, but those residents have been met by unexpected fees that have made it difficult to make ends meet. This is a common-sense change that will work to fund improvements and fix the failed dams while also respecting our fellow community members.”

Advancing bills, including one Schuette has sponsored, will re-establish Michigan’s Special Assessment District Tax Deferral program for individuals 65 years and older, or those who are permanently disabled, with incomes of $34,900 or less. The deferral program’s reinstatement and eligibility cap reduces the financial burden for vulnerable groups across Mid-Michigan who would struggle to pay for special assessments on their homesteads, including assessments that arise from emergencies.

The program had been in Michigan law for over 40 years before being suspended in October of 2020. Under the advancing plans, the state would cover the costs of special assessment taxes up until a property is sold or changes hands.

Catastrophic structural failures in May of 2020 caused roughly $175 million in damages to over 2,000 structures in areas of Midland and Gladwin counties.

House Bills 4079-80 now move to the Senate for consideration.