July 24, 2014
Pledge to reverse the unfair TAX increases on Michigan Retirees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Contact: Dick Long, President of Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, 313. 510.4727
Pledge to REVERSE unfair Taxes and Tax Increases on Michigan Retirees
Today the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans is sending pledge requests to all members of Michigan legislature calling for them to support the repeal of new and unfair taxes and tax increases on seniors and retirees.
“Since January 2012, Michigan’s seniors and retirees have been unjustly targeted by new and unfair tax increases and it’s time we take action and hold legislator’s feet to the fire,” said Dick Long, president of the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans. “Because of this tax shift on seniors, many retirees living on a fixed income are now forced to put off home repairs, paying utilities or buying prescription drugs. To make matters worse, seniors are paying more so those already well off and at the top can pay less and that’s fundamentally wrong.”
The new and unfair taxes include: a new retirement tax on pensions and increases in property taxes through the curtailing of the Homestead Property Tax Credit.
The tax increases amount to thousands of dollars more taken out of the pockets each year for seniors living on a fixed income. Additionally, these tax increases on retirement changed the rules for retirees in the middle of the game. Many seniors would have planned retirement differently had they known the rules would change.
As a matter of fairness, the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans is calling on legislators to pledge their support in repealing the new retirement tax on pensions and fully restoring the Homestead Property Tax Credit as well as demanding both the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader bring the matter to the floor for a vote.
The group is also calling on Governor Snyder to sign the legislation repealing these taxes targeting seniors.
Pledges are to be returned by Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Join the Alliance for Retired Americans – in pledging to repeal and reverse the unfair taxes and tax increases on Michigan Retirees!
Sincerely,
Dick Long
President, Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Dear Legislator,
A series of new and unfair taxes and tax increases went into effect in January 2012 targeting seniors and retired Michiganders. [1] Including: a new retirement tax on pensions and increases in property taxes through the curtailing of the Homestead Property Tax Credit.
These tax increases amount to thousands of dollars more taken out of the pockets each year for seniors living on a fixed income. For many of these retirees, paying these new senior taxes means the difference between paying the heat and energy bills, fixing a car or home, or even covering medical bills and prescription drug costs.
What’s more, these unfair tax increases changed the rules for retirees in the middle of the game. Retirement is a promise and these new tax changes broke that promise. Many seniors would have planned retirement differently had they known the rules would change. Making matters worse, the same funds raised by these new taxes on retirees have been used to pay for tax cuts for corporations and those already well off. Raising taxes on retirees in order to give breaks to those at the top is fundamentally unfair.
As a matter of fairness and doing what’s right, we call on you to pledge your support in repealing the new retirement tax on pensions and fully restoring the Homestead Property Tax Credit as well as demanding both the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader bring the matter to the floor for a vote.
It’s also time we call on Governor Snyder to sign the legislation repealing these taxes targeting seniors.
Sign the pledge now to reverse the unfair taxes and tax increases on Michigan retirees. Please sign by Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Join the Alliance for Retired Americans – in pledging to repeal these unfair tax increases on Michigan Retirees!
Sincerely,
Dick Long
President
Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans
[1] Included in House Bill 4361 of 2011, now Public Act 38 of 2011.
Please feel free to use the following commitment form to pledge your support
The Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans is sending pledge requests to all members of Michigan legislature calling for them to support the repeal of new and unfair taxes and tax increases on seniors and retirees.
Pledge: Reverse the Retirement Tax and Increased Property Taxes
I ____________________________ support the repeal of a series of new and unfair taxes and tax increases that went into effect January 2012 targeting seniors and retired Michiganders. [1]
These new and unfair taxes include: a new retirement tax on pensions and increases in property taxes through the curtailing of the Homestead Property Tax Deduction.
These tax increases amount to thousands of dollars each year taken out of the pockets of seniors living on a fixed income, changed the rules in the middle of the game for seniors depending on a secure retirement and unfairly went to finance a tax break for the wealthy and corporations.
By signing this appeal, I pledge to restore the promise of a secure retirement in Michigan and repeal these tax increases
Furthermore, I call on the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader to hold an immediate vote on the issue.
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Name (Print) District
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Name (Signature) Date