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$180 'inflation relief' checks: House approves Whitmer's tax cut package despite opposition

By Tim Skubick
Published  February 9, 2023 5:46pm EST
Politics
FOX 2 Detroit

House approves Michigan tax cut package

Despite a struggle to get the needed votes, the Michigan House eventually passed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's tax cut plan, which includes $180 checks for taxpayers.

LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's tax cut package, which includes $180 "inflation relief" checks for taxpayers, was approved by the House on Thursday, despite struggles to get the votes.

The governor was not able to get all Democrats on board, and by 10 a.m. it was clear she did not have the votes, so the lobbying increased. At one point, five of Whitmer's lieutenants were on the floor, including her main lobbyist Curtis Hertel, trying to convince Democrats to vote for the package.

READ: What it will take for Michigan residents to get $180 'inflation relief' check

Whitmer joined in the lobbying effort making personal phone calls and in one case making a personal plea to a moderate Republican to vote yes. However, House GOP leader Matt Hall was telling his members that unless the governor agreed to roll back the income tax rate, his side would not give her any votes. Whitmer did not want to do that.

When it came time to vote, the package got the votes it needed, but was met with opposition and yelling.