LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan developed by State Representative Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) to save and create jobs by exempting certain taxes for companies such as Battle Creek's Duncan Aviation that do custom work on high-end aircraft. Having passed both the House and Senate, the plan will now be signed into law.
"I'm extremely pleased to see this legislation pass today," Segal said." I'm particularly happy for the Duncan workers and their families who would have been adversely impacted if this legislation had not been passed. We simply can't afford to lose even one more job. If a Michigan tax law puts hundreds of jobs in jeopardy, as was the case here, it is our duty as lawmakers to right that wrong. This tax code change will not only keep jobs in Michigan, but also attract new job providers to our state."
The legislation passed today will exempt sales and use taxes on aircraft brought to Michigan for the sale and customization process. The change will update Michigan law to match similar exemptions in 25 other states allowing Michigan to more fairly compete for aircraft customization business.
The legislation, originally authored and introduced by Segal, passed the House in May by a vote of 105-2. After the bills passed the House, Segal worked with Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) to sponsor complementary legislation in the Republican-controlled Senate in order to move the bills through the Legislature as quickly as possible. Segal has worked to have the bills to be signed into law as soon as possible.
"We need this sort of bipartisanship in order to move our state forward and get our economy back on track," Segal said. "It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or Republican when jobs are at stake. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect jobs and stand up for what's right."