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Rep. Wakeman, Michigan House approve tax relief for Saginaw County families affected by COVID-19, dam failures
RELEASE|June 25, 2020

State Rep. Rodney Wakeman, of Saginaw Township, today joined his colleagues in the Michigan Legislature in approving a pair of proposals granting more flexibility for 2020 summer property taxes for those who have suffered financial losses due to COVID-19 and recent dam failures.


Breaches in the Edenville and Sanford Dams along the Tittabawassee River on May 19 due to heavy rain forced the evacuations of thousands of residents across Midland, Gladwin and Saginaw counties – including areas in Tittabawassee, Saginaw and Thomas townships. The Federal Emergency Management Agency labeled the flooding as a 500-year event which, according to the state, caused upwards of $200 million in damage and damaged or destroyed more than 2,500 homes, businesses and nonprofits.


“This important change will provide some financial flexibility for property owners who have been devastated by COVID-19 or flooding due to the Edenville and Sanford dam failures,” Wakeman said. “We’re giving property owners a longer window of time to pay their summer 2020 property tax bills without getting dinged on interest or penalties.”


House Bill 5761 allows a business or residential property owner who isn’t able to pay summer property taxes for this year to have those taxes deferred if they sign an affidavit stating they have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or recent flooding caused by dam failures – both of which have led to state of emergency declarations.


Related legislation, HB 5810, provides temporary cash flow assistance for local governments facing shortfalls because of late tax payments. Property tax payments make up a pivotal source of revenue for communities and are used to fund services residents rely on.


“Property taxes are a vitally important source of revenue for our communities and help fund essential services we all rely on,” Wakeman said. “While property owners will still have to pay their summer 2020 tax bill, we need to acknowledge that people have had their ability to pay bills and support themselves and their families stripped away or severely limited through no fault of their own. This is a common-sense solution that will provide Michigan families suffering financial losses due to COVID-19 and dam flooding a little peace of mind.”


House Bills 5761 and 5810 now head to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her consideration.

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