Paul Opsommer

Vice Chair, House Transportation Committee

District 93, Dewitt

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AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT OF MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL DESERVES ATTENTION

February 9, 2010

State Rep. Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, drew attention to a new report by the Auditor General today that examined the increasing backlog of unresolved claims at the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The news was not good, with the report finding that the tribunal had not established a process to ensure that it resolved tax appeals in an efficient and timely manner.

"I have some people in my district who are still waiting two or three years for their case to be heard," said Opsommer. "Adding insult to injury, there is also confusion over whether they must continue to pay more fees to keep the claim going year after year due to no fault of their own."

The number of backlogged and pending appeals increased by 72 percent from fiscal year 2005-06 to 2007-08. These 25,000-plus appeals have resulted in significant delays in resolving taxpayer concerns.

"State government is stretched thin, but this is a clear sign we are not prioritizing how we are spending taxpayer dollars," said Opsommer. "If the government passes laws requiring people to pay taxes it only makes sense that we then put the resources forward that allow people to get their tax questions answered, their appeals processed in a timely manner, and to provide an adequate interest rate on any refunds the state owes them."

Opsommer has introduced House Bill 5230, which clarifies that taxpayers do not have to pay any additional appeal fees from year to year for the same case, and has also introduced HB 5316 which would require the state to pay an additional monthly interest rate of 3 percent to taxpayers for refunds that are not paid within 60 days.

"Long run we are taking steps to ensure that the tax tribunal ends its backlog, but in the short run it is inexcusable that we have taxpayers paying application fees over and over again or made to feel that the state is holding onto refunds to help manage cash flow problems," said Opsommer. "The state should always have an obligation to determine if people are owed refunds and repay them in an expeditious manner since it was never the government's money in the first place."

Legislation introduced to prohibit residential transfer fees, limit foreclosure recovery costs

Opsommer criticizes the stalling of Michigan's legislation

Opsommer warns against state-created monopolies

State Rep. Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, today questioned a new plan to increase state coffers by reducing the number of legally authorized liquor distributors in the state down to one, a move that would in effect create a state-sanctioned monopoly.

HJR A should have been part of budget solution

State Representative Paul Opsommer joined legislative colleagues at the Capitol today in an effort to jumpstart stalled budget talks. Opsommer also used the press conference to discuss the need for legislation such as HJR A that would have helped ensure future budgets are completed in a more timely manner.

Opsommer to introduce statutory version of HJR YY to affirm 10th Amendment and to protect against illegal memorandums of agreement

State Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) announced today that with HJR YY and SJR Y not making it onto the ballot that he would be introducing a statutory version of the federalism bills as a backup to keep the issue moving.

NEW SUPREME COURT RULING EXPANDS UPON HELLER BUT SHOWS 2nd AMENDMENT RIGHTS STILL TENUOUS

Two years ago the Supreme Court ruled that the 2nd Amendment is an individual and not a collective right, holding that "the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm, unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."

MUCC CATCHES 30 FISH SPECIES IN 30 HOURS TO HELP HIGHLIGHT IMMINENT CARP DANGER

State Rep. Paul Opsommer congratulated the Michigan United Conservation Clubs for successfully completing their goal of catching 30 fish species in 30 days as a way to draw attention to the danger of Asian Carp to Michigan's fisheries. Unfortunately, other breaking news is also highlighting why such efforts are so badly needed.

'Cottage food' bill one step closer to reality

The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed legislation that will help protect small producers of certain baked goods and other products like jams and jellies from excessive regulation. The series of bills is now headed to the Senate.

HB 4961: The DRIC and outsourced information

State Representative Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) announced today that he has been forced to write another letter to Canadian Transportation Minister Baird seeking answers to important questions concerning the DRIC, all because MDOT has been unwilling to provide it's own legislature with the information it needs in order to make a decision regarding HB 4961.

Opsommer balks at ceding of state sovereignty, will introduce ballot measure

In response to a bill recently passed out of the House that would allow for the governments of other states and countries to partially control transportation projects in MI, State Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) announced today that he would be offering a ballot proposal that would ensure only Michigan entities would control Michigan's toll roads or bridges.

National Healthcare rolling along in MI

On Tuesday the House Committee on Health Policy started taking testimony on national health insurance and Michigan's role in implementing it through state run "exchanges". The mandate for the exchanges have been criticized for being unconstitutional if they are used as a mechanism to force taxpayers to buy healthcare insurance against their will.

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