Hartland Area Seniors Talk Issues With State Representative

About dozen seniors peppered state Rep. Cindy Denby on a range of issues including the new pension tax, tax cuts for businesses and the state incentives for movies.

Betty Dietrich, 71, of Deerfield Township, said the new pension tax combined with changes that reduce the homestead tax credit is making it tougher on middle class, especially at a time of increasing health and utility costs for some. She also thought it was unfair to tax some seniors but not others based on age.

The controversial tax also contains protections based on income. Previously, most pensions were exempt from the state income tax.

"Somewhere in the middle you're getting squeezed as always and then other people are flying high and that's what upsets me," said Dietrich during Thursday's hourlong conversation at the Hartland Senior Center.

Denby, who represents most of the Hartland area, said the benefit cuts and tax increases puts the state in better financial footing while the tax cuts will make the state more competitive for economic growth.

"If you look at where the state was going it was not good," said Denby, noting the state has $47 billion in liabilities to tackle and this year's budget actually sets aside money to help pay that down.

Denby, R-Handy Township, said the tax cuts replace an overly complicated system that taxed some businesses that didn't make money and double-taxed some businesses that did. The new system charges 6 percent on profits.

"It will help small businesses," said Denby, noting anecdotal evidence of recent hiring because of the tax reform. "We're trying to treat everyone the same."

Alice Andrews, director of the senior center, asked about big cutbacks to the state's film incentives.

"It gave people a lift," Andrews said. "That can't be underestimated sometimes. … You were proud of the community."

Denby said while Livingston County has benefited economically from the industry, credit was too expensive with 42 percent on many expenses reimbursed by the state. One stat showed the state spent $110,000 per job, added one of Denby's aides.

But Denby, who noted she was filmed in a cameo role for the teen TV show The Wannabes, said retaining film industry jobs is important and that lawmakers will likely look at more tweaks to keep the industry in Michigan.

The series — which features six teens from the real life band Savvy who attempt to secretly pursue music careers — has been filmed in Howell and airs in more than 92 countries, but the series has yet to be on in the United States, according to the show's website.

Responding to concerns about cutbacks in adult protective services, Denby said audits of Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services show the state can obtain more federal funds and a department reorganization that will help address the problem. She also said recent legislation encourages the private sector help draw attention to cases.

Denby also talked about health care, saying a big decision on how Michigan will implement the new national health care law is on the horizon — whether to have the state or federal government oversee the system. She said a lot of education likely town hall meetings will be needed early next year as the program is created.

Afterward, some seniors said Denby's explanations put difficult issues into better context.

"She just put us at ease," said Arlene Quin, 70, of Hartland. "We listen to the news and it drives us crazy. I'm feeling the changes are going to be good."