As a member of both the Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee and the Finance Committee, Rebekah has worked to preserve a high quality of life in our state, consistently voting against cuts to our already struggling schools, local communities, arts and cultural programs, and critical public services, and instead urging a comprehensive budget solution that addresses our structural deficit.

As part of this solution, Rebekah has sponsored a resolution to put the establishment of a graduated income tax on the ballot, as well as a bill to amend the sunset on the 4.35% state income tax rate that was established in 2007. While the sunset is currently set to begin on January 1, 2013, at which time it is to be reduced by 0.1 each year until the rate is 3.95%, Rebekah’s legislation would instead build in an economic trigger, assuring that the rate is driven by the health of our economy and not an arbitrary deadline.

Perhaps most importantly, when Governor Snyder proposed a $2 billion tax cut for big business on the backs of our most vulnerable families, seniors and children, Rebekah stood strongly in opposition, putting forth language that would have required business to play their fair share, salvaged the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and generated the revenue necessary to fully fund our schools. While the language was unfortunately not ultimately approved, Rebekah remains committed to fighting for a more fair and equitable tax system that would ease the burden on the working and middle class.