Whereas: Detroit’s per capita tax burden on city residents is the highest in Michigan; and
Whereas: Detroit’s income tax is the highest in Michigan; and
Whereas: Detroit has the highest property tax rates of any large city in Michigan; and
Whereas: Detroit is the only city in Michigan that levies an excise tax on utility users; and
Whereas: Taxes are so high, half of city property owners refuse or cannot afford to pay property taxes; and
Whereas: The tax burden is particularly severe because it is imposed on a population with relatively low levels of per capita income; and
Whereas: The city’s tax rates are so punitive, and the city services so bad, approximately 300,000 residents have fled the city in the past two decades.
Therefore: Be it resolved that we, the undersigned, demand the City Council provide tax relief by cutting taxes on the working families and residents of Detroit.