by orionontv | Jan 29, 2024 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Encourages Michiganders to Save Money with New Tax Cuts This Season
Federal and State Individual Income Tax Season Opens Today
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that both the federal and state individual income tax season has begun and urged Michiganders to check out two important state tax changes that could put more money into the pockets of eligible taxpayers.
“Working families and retirees will save and get more money back when they file their taxes this year,” said Governor Whitmer. “Last year, we rolled back the retirement tax and quintupled the Working Families Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Michiganders money on their taxes. I am so proud our new legislative majority delivered over $1 billion in tax relief to help Michiganders care for their families, pay the bills, or save for a rainy day. Let’s keep working together to lower costs and ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
Starting today Michiganders can file their 2023 tax year state individual income tax returns electronically through commercial software or by mailing paper forms through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Monday, April 15, 2024.
“Working families and retirees have substantial benefits and options to consider when filing their taxes this year,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks. “These taxpayers have a lot to gain from the increased Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families, ‘Retirement Tax’ rollback or other available tax credits. I encourage taxpayers to seek out a reputable tax preparer or use tax preparation software. We don’t want eligible taxpayers to miss out on these important benefits.”
Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (Michigan EITC) for Working Families
Michigan’s 2023 tax return, forms, and instructions reflect the expansion of Michigan EITC for Working Families from 6% to 30% under the Lowering MI Costs Plan.
Although the law will not take effect until Feb. 13, 2024, taxpayers eligible for the Michigan EITC should not delay in filing their tax year 2023 return and claiming the expanded credit.
The Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) will work impacted returns as they are received and prepare them for release as soon as the law takes effect.
Tax Year 2022 Michigan EITC for Working Families Supplemental Checks
On Feb. 13, 2024, Treasury will begin issuing supplemental check payments over a 5-to-6-week period to provide eligible taxpayers with the remaining 24% portion of the Michigan EITC for Working Families for the 2022 tax year. The additional 24% adjustment checks for tax year 2022 will average $618 per recipient.
These paper check payments will be issued to the most recent address on file with Treasury. Treasury routinely updates taxpayer address records based on current tax filings, so your address should be up to date. However, if you have moved frequently or recently and have concerns about your address accuracy, you can manually update it through IIT eService. Visit how to change your address with Treasury for more information.
Do not file an amended 2022 individual income tax return to change your address or claim the increased Michigan EITC for Working Families.
“Retirement Tax” Rollback
Over a four-year phase-in, this new law restores the pre-2012 retirement and pension subtraction for most taxpayers in Michigan beginning in 2026. The change will benefit more retirees in Michigan while ensuring taxpayers in unique circumstances are not harmed.
Retirees can file and take advantage of the expanded retirement and pension subtraction options at the start of tax season, which saves taxpayers time and eliminates the need or expense of filing an amended return after the law takes effect. For that reason, eligible retirees should not delay in filing their tax year 2023 return and claiming the most advantageous pension and retirement benefit subtraction.
Treasury will work impacted returns as they are received and prepare them for release as soon as the law takes effect on Feb. 13, 2024.
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, around 4.7 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 90% of state individual income tax filers.
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by orionontv | Jan 25, 2024 | Regional News
Coulter: Gov. Whitmer’s Commitment to Education Will Attract Investment, Grow Economy and Raise Wages
Post Date:01/24/2024 6:47 PM
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter issued the following statement in support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s vision in her 2024 State of the State speech:
“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has invested more in education during her tenure than any time in history and this continued significant investment aligns with Oakland County’s goals to ensure our residents have the college education and training they need to succeed and thrive,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “And that’s exactly what the state needs to attract new investment, grow the economy and raise wages for the hard-working people of Michigan.”
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by orionontv | Jan 25, 2024 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2024
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jocelyn Garza
989-245-7117
[email protected]
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Tree clearing ahead of Blue Water Bridge plaza improvements
starts Jan. 29
PORT HURON, Mich. – Crews will begin removing trees across nearly half an acre adjacent to the existing Blue Water Bridge (BWB) plaza, near Pine Grove Avenue, Harker Street, Scott Avenue, and westbound I-94 from Garfield to the Black River. This work is being completed ahead of Component One of the plaza improvements, which includes relocating the eastbound I-94 exit ramp at Pine Grove Avenue, building sound walls along portions of the project limits, and reconfiguring Pine Grove Avenue and 10th Avenue.
A total of 110 trees will be flagged for removal, with an effort to leave mature and developed trees north of Scott Avenue in place to support a future nonmotorized path.
County:
Huron
Highway:
Pine Grove Avenue
Harker Street
Scott Avenue
Closest city:
Port Huron
Start date:
Monday, Jan. 29, 2024
Estimated end date:
Monday, April 1, 2024
Traffic restrictions:
One intermittent lane and shoulder closure are expected on the eastbound I-94 exit ramp to Pine Grove Avenue, and along westbound I-94 from Garfield Road to the Black River.
Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, the total investment of Component One construction is expected to directly and indirectly support 525 jobs.
Safety benefit:
This work will allow crews to begin work on Component One in the spring and avoid impacting the nesting season for bats, beginning in early April.
by orionontv | Jan 25, 2024 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Delivers 2024 State of the State Address, Outlines Vision to Lower Costs, Improve Education, and Help Anyone Make it in Michigan
LANSING, Mich – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her 2024 State of the State address in front of a joint session of the Michigan Legislature. She laid out her plans to lower costs, improve education, and ensure anyone can “make it” in Michigan.
“We put together a heck of a record in 2023 and we are starting 2024 ready to rock,” said Governor Whitmer. “This year let’s keep our foot on the accelerator by continuing to focus on the issues that make a real difference in people’s lives. Let’s build more housing to expand supply and lower costs, and save family caregivers thousands on their taxes. To improve education, let’s deliver a budget that expands free pre-K for all and makes community college tuition-free for every high school graduate. Finally, let’s keep bringing supply chains and jobs back home to Michigan by shoring up our economic development toolkit so anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan. Together, we can build a brighter future and help every Michigander have a classic Michigan story.”
The State of Michigan will make the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history, nearly $1.4 billion to build or rehabilitate nearly 10,000 homes. That is 10 times what the state invested to build housing 10 years ago. Building more of every kind of housing—single family homes, apartments, and mixed-use buildings—will expand supply and lower costs. Getting this done will also support thousands of good-paying jobs in the skilled trades—from pipefitters and carpenters to bricklayers and roofers.
Michiganders with caregiving responsibilities juggle their own lives and careers while spending thousands of dollars out-of-pocket on related expenses. Governor Whitmer proposed the new Caring for MI Family Tax Credit to save thousands of Michigan families up to $5,000 off their taxes. The proposal covers caregiving expenses including counseling, transportation, and nursing or respite services.
The governor wants to provide access to free pre-K for every single 4-year-old Michigander in the next budget. Free pre-K saves families an average of $10,000 a year and helps students build a solid academic foundation for long-term success, improving literacy rates and closing achievement gaps. Data shows that children who attend pre-K have better academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and go on to earn more money when they start working. Investments in pre-K will also attract employers seeking to expand or relocate to Michigan by giving parents more safe, affordable options for their kids when they go to work.
Community College for All
Tonight, the governor proposed we work together to make the first 2 years of community college tuition-free for every high school graduate. This will save students an average of $4,000 as they earn an associates degree or skills certificate at a community college, helping them land a better-paying, high-skill job in a career field they love. Getting this done will also help Michigan achieve its Sixty by 30 goal, to have 60% of working-age adults earn a postsecondary education by 2030. Michigan’s growing economy must be driven by a growing base of skilled talent. As more supply chains come home and advanced manufacturing businesses expand in Michigan, they will need qualified talent to meet their needs. Every student deserves a chance to pursue their passion so they can build a good life in Michigan.
Infrastructure is critical to growing Michigan’s population and economy. Tonight, Governor Whitmer called on the Michigan Department of Transportation to authorize the final $700 million of the Rebuilding Michigan Plan. The five-year, $3.5 billion plan has focused on fixing Michigan’s most economically critical roads while supporting over 45,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. The final round of bonding projects includes 94 right along the Detroit Airport, 696 from Southfield through Warren, and a bridge in Erie Township.
Companies are bringing supply chains back home to America—and especially to Michigan—in a big way. Michigan is showing the world that we make a lot more than just cars. In the decades ahead, we will dominate batteries, chips, and clean energy. To keep winning this race for the future, Michigan needs to upgrade its bipartisan economic development toolkit:
- R&D Tax Credit: unleash innovation while lowering costs for businesses.
- HIRE Michigan: lower overall payroll taxes for these firms. The value behind it is simple: the more you hire in Michigan, the more you should save in Michigan.
- Renaissance Zones: spur investment in areas of the state that are too often left out or left behind by lowering the cost of doing business in them.
- Innovation Fund: invest in early-stage start-ups, help launch hundreds of new Michigan-based companies, creating thousands of jobs.
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by orionontv | Jan 25, 2024 | Regional News
Oakland County Displays Pride in Lions Lighting Courthouse in Blue
Post Date:01/25/2024 10:28 AM
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County is lighting up the Sixth Circuit Court Building with blue lights in support of the NFC North Champion Detroit Lions.
Beginning tonight through Sunday, the white exterior of the upper part of the courthouse will be bathed in a color similar to the Lions’ iconic uniforms.
Fans driving by the Oakland County government campus, located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac, who want to show their Lions pride are welcome to stop to take a selfie in front of the circuit court building on any of these nights. There’s parking in the lot just south of the courthouse.
Oakland County’s electronic roadside signs on northbound Telegraph on the government campus will also have celebratory messages cheering on the team.
The last time the courthouse was illuminated was in November during the days leading up to Veterans Day, in which it was lit in green to honor those who served in the military.
Go Lions!
by orionontv | Jan 24, 2024 | Regional News
How to Watch Gov. Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State Address Tonight
LANSING, Mich. — Tonight, Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver the 2024 State of the State Address in front of a joint session of the Michigan Legislature at 7:00PM. You can watch live online or on television.
“Michigan’s story can be seen in our people’s stories,” said Governor Whitmer. “We are a state full of humble, hardworking people with simple dreams for themselves and their families. After one of the most successful years in our state’s history, we’ve delivered on our promises to Michiganders, ranging from record tax cuts for families and free school meals for students to safer communities and more personal freedoms under the law. I look forward to sharing my vision for how we continue getting things done so everyone can build a brighter future in Michigan.”
During her address, Governor Whitmer will lay out her plans to continue building on the historic accomplishments of the first Democratic-led legislature in 40 years. Her proposals will lower costs, continue record investments in education from preschool to college, expand access to safe and affordable homes for Michigan families, keep protecting our seniors, boost our state’s economy to new heights, and so much more.
HOW TO WATCH THE 2024 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS:
SATELLITE COORDINATES FOR BROADCAST MEDIA:
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