Tax Cuts Set to Be Whitmer’s Latest Veto

Her veto rate is Michigan’s highest since 1953

In the days to come, Gov. Whitmer is expected to veto new legislation that would mean tax cuts for Michiganders.

On March 3, Michigan’s Senate approved the plan which would cut individual income tax, expend relief to seniors and create a child tax credit. In exchange, unspecified cuts would be required in the future. With $7 billion in surplus and another $7 billion in federal funds available, supporters argue Michigan’s taxpayers should get financial relief.

In a letter to legislative leaders, Whitmer said that the legislation could cause “painful cuts” in the future but hopes to “negotiate a compromise that fully considers a budget alongside any tax policy decisions while putting the people of Michigan first.”

Proponents say the legislation works as is. “A sure sign someone has been in government too long is if they’re trying to convince you the bureaucracy can’t afford a $2.5 billion tax cut when it has an $8 billion surplus.” Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake said in a statement. “The governor’s veto threat is a slap in the face of Michigan residents struggling to fill their gas tanks and pay for groceries at a time of record inflation.”

Whitmer’s number and rate of vetoes are nearly – or more than – double her predecessors. Her average of 30.7 bills vetoed per year is remarkably higher that of her predecessors Gov. Granholm (17.5 per year) and Gov. Snyder (14.1 per year). From 1953 until 2018, the record for largest rate of vetoes stood at 8.3% in one year. In 2021, Whitmer’s rate was 17.6%.

Among the legislation previously vetoed by Whitmer were bills that would have expanded school choice in Michigan, protected nursing home residents from COVID-19, protected government whistleblowers, and tightened voter ID laws.