Public Media from Michigan State University

Bolger, State House GOP Stand Firm Against Repealing Tax On Pensions

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State House Republicans Thursday formally unveiled their priorities for 2014.

As The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher reports, an election-year tax cut is near the top of the list.

The big question is, who will get that tax cut? Democrats say it should be retirees. A couple years ago, the state stopped allowing people to exempt pension income from their taxes. Democrats say that policy unfairly burdened middle-class retirees and needs to go.

But state House Speaker Jase Bolger says he’s not open to that idea.

   “If you’re going to tax income, all income should be treated the same,” he says.

Many Republicans in Lansing favor reducing the state’s income tax rate.

Bolger says improving Michigan’s roads and bridges and overhauling the state’s controversial auto no-fault law are also among top legislative priorities in the new year.

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Jake Neher is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He covers the State Legislature and other political events in Lansing.