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LANSING, Mich. – Michigan voters overwhelmingly oppose an effort to expand the state sales tax to services and instead want their political leaders to balance the state’s budget by cutting spending, according to a new poll released today by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Association of REALTORS®. The poll found 75 percent of likely voters oppose the proposal put forward by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon to lower the sales tax rate from 6 percent to 5.5 percent and expand the tax to most consumer services. Only 21 percent support such a tax increase. The state faces a $1.7 billion budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. “The more the people of Michigan learn about a service tax, the more they see it as an effort to nickel-and-dime those who can least afford it,” Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley said. “Businesses and working families are struggling and can’t afford to bear any more burdens.” The proposal would result in a new tax on services such as haircuts, child care, dry cleaning, auto repairs, tax preparation and retirement planning services. Voters universally reject the service tax plan, regardless of their political affiliation. Seventy-seven percent of Republicans and 74 percent of independents oppose such a service tax. Even 60 percent of Democrats oppose the governor’s plan. “The message is clear: Michigan voters want their elected leaders to reform the way state government does business,” noted Bill Martin, CEO of the Michigan Association of REALTORS®. “Voters saw the results of income and business tax increases in 2007 and they’re not ready to spend even more to continue to support an inefficient and bloated state government.” The survey of 600 likely voters was conducted April 21-22 by Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, Va. Download key findings of the statewide survey here
MAR is excited to now be accepting this year’s REALTOR® of the Year Award nominations. REALTOR® of the Year is the highest honor bestowed upon a Michigan REALTOR®. It stands for integrity, individual achievement and perhaps the greatest compliment: recognition from peers in the real estate industry. Each nominee should embody the following qualities: • Advocate for and expand the interest of fellow REALTORS®, their profession, and the real estate community at large • Demonstrate the outstanding work by REALTORS® to the general public • Leadership among peers and spirit of camaraderie between locals, state and national REALTORS®. Also remember to submit your REALTOR® Active in Politics nomination. This award recognizes a member that has gone above and beyond the norm in serving the REALTOR® profession in the political arena. To start the nomination process for your association, you can find the necessary form on the MAR Web site. All entries are to be sent directly to jrowell@mirealtors.com with “ROTY Nomination” or “RAP Nomination” in the subject line. Please include a high quality photo with your nomination form. The deadline for submission is August 13, 2010. All nominees will be honored at MAR’s 2010 Convention & Expo, held September 29 - October 1.
The MARST administers two scholarship funds, the Russel A. Pointer and the Barney Harkins Scholarship and Educational Fund. Applicants are automatically considered for financial assistance from both funds. The scholarships are intended for full time college students who have reached at least junior status and who intend to pursue a real estate-related career upon graduation. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and are distributed over two semesters. Completed application forms for consideration of the 2010-2011 academic school year must be submitted to the Michigan Association of REALTORS® by July 1, 2010. The application form can be found on the MAR Web site . If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Bates at abates@mirealtors.com. Tax-deductible contributions are also accepted by MARST. .
MAR's Senior Vice President of Operations has been awarded the prestigious Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation and will join a worldwide referral network of elite global real estate practitioners with expertise in working with international clients as well as immigrants. The CIPS Designation is awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which represents over 1,200,000 REALTORS® in the United States. Feldpausch was formally recognized at NAR’s Midyear Legislative Conference & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C. on May 12, 2010. Members of the Global Network are crucial players in today’s global real estate market. The CIPS designation recognizes members who have achieved the necessary training and experience to work successfully with international clients and properties. To earn the CIPS designation, REALTORS® complete rigorous coursework devoted to learning cultural differences and international business practices. Designees must also prove achievement in international real estate transactions. Feldpausch joins a distinguished society of over 1600 real estate professionals throughout the world who have earned the CIPS designation
For more information on the CIPS designation, contact the National Association of REALTORS® at 800-874-6500 or visit the Global Network website at www.realtor.org/Global. |