'Tax Cut Fever' In Lansing? Spending Increases Show Opposite

A recent Detroit Free Press story speaks of a “tax cut fever that is spreading through the Republican-controlled Legislature,” but warns, “don't look for any such proposals when Gov. Rick Snyder presents his 2018 budget Wednesday.”

Incoming Budget Director Al Pscholka and outgoing Budget Director John Roberts both said tax cuts are not likely to be part of the 2017-18 budget.

ForTheRecord says: While medicine has no cure for the common cold, Michigan’s Legislature has apparently found the remedy for “tax cut fever.”

Michigan state spending from state revenues (that is, excluding federal money) has grown for seven consecutive years. Annual appropriations have increased from $25.2 billion in the 2010-11 fiscal year (Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s last budget) to $31.0 billion in 2016-17.

There has been no net reduction, just a $5.8 billion increase over those seven years.