State Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s press conference where she announced minor tax rebates for Michigan families:

“The governor is looking for any way possible to distract taxpayers. The fact is, she wants to block permanent income tax relief that would save taxpayers for years to come, unlike her ploy to give taxpayers checks for a mere $180 – and just $90 each for joint filers.

“The state is sitting atop a mountain of cash – it’s a great time for workers to start keeping more of their own money in the form of ongoing, permanent income tax rollbacks. But the governor won’t confirm that she’s on board with permanent relief.

“Forward-thinking Republicans created a state law years ago that initiates a permanent income tax rollback if the state budget reaches a certain surplus level – the budget reached that level this year, and it means $700 million in savings throughout Michigan. That is, if Democrats don’t get in the way and undo savings workers are owed because they believe the government can spend tax dollars better than the people who earned them.

“It’s time for the governor and Democrats in the Legislature to wake up and read the room. The people need and deserve real relief, and Republicans will fight to ensure they get it.”