December 2007 Field Report -
Southeast Michigan
By: Tony Daunt – Southeast Michigan Field Director
If an individual Michigan Association of REALTORS® member was to ask me for a one word description of state government in 2007 I would unflinchingly reply “chaotic.” As the year began, there was great hope among citizens and Lansing insiders alike for a new approach to budget writing and policy making. However, as 2007 unfolded, that new approach became one late night bad decision after another and in the end affected Michigan’s business community. Now, after defeating a tax on services, Michigan has a new Michigan Business tax, along with a surcharge, to ring in the new year.
A major victory for the real estate community came this year with the defeat of a service tax not once, but twice. The MAR, along with various other members of the business arena, banded together and voiced a strong opposition to a proposed tax on services. The service tax approach was the proposed “solution” to balance the 2008 budget. The MAR staff spent countless hours attending late night sessions, and meeting with legislators to express the negative consequences a service tax would have on our industry. Finally, as deadlines loomed for a budget solution, the tax was repealed, and replaced with a new MBT surcharge. As 2008 rolls in, the MAR will continue to work with leadership in both the House and Senate on clean-up and clarification legislation to ensure that the MBT does not unduly burden real estate brokerages in this already troubled market.
As we look ahead, fresh ideas and perspectives are plentiful, and the common thread that ties local, state and federal associations together is the goal to better the real estate community in Michigan. With local boards and associations installing new presidents, officers and committee members, the MAR will also have new faces in leadership. The MAR is fortunate to have a great group of individuals leading the charge in 2008. Jeff Young will serve as 2008 MAR President. Nanci Rands will take the helm as the new 2008 MAR RPAC Trustee Committee Chair, and Teri Spiro will lead the 2008 MAR Public Policy Committee. The new MAR leadership aims to promote good public policy and industry standards across Michigan, and will be looked to for guidance on many concerns at the forefront of today’s real estate industry.
As always, your designated field staff is available to give your association legislative updates on news and legislation that impact the real estate community. Knowing the issues and what is at stake on the state and national levels is crucial. Getting involved in your association and through RPAC will enable you to know more of what goes on “behind the scenes” regarding issues that influence your profession. Please contact me at tdaunt@mirealtors.com. Happy New Year, I look forward to working with you in 2008!
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December 2007
Field Report
• Field Report
Tony represents:
• Ann Arbor Area
• Dearborn
• Detroit
• CBOR
• Down River
• Grosse Pointe
• Lenawee County
• Livingston County
• MCAR
• Monroe County
• North Oakland County
• Western Wayne Oakland County
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