roth-for-rep

Rep. Roth: Northern Michigan abandoned as House passes green energy mandates

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:32:41 GMT

House passes energy mandates. Abandons Northern Michigan.

House Democrats ignored Northern Michigan Thursday as they steamrolled their radical green energy agenda through the House. State Rep. John Roth expressed major concerns about the legislation forcing unreliable, unsustainable, and expensive energy sources onto rural Michigan.

The legislation also cripples local control by giving the Michigan Public Service Commission – a three-member board appointed by the governor – the sole authority to permit large solar and wind construction.

“House Democrats have officially killed the lights on Northern Michigan families,” said Roth, R-Interlochen. “This plan makes us more reliant on energy sources that have already proven completely unreliable. My district came out hard against these bills, and Democrats fully ignored them. They chose to give in to far-left environmental activists with no regard for rural Michigan.”

Senate Bill 271 changes the state’s existing renewable energy standard as laid out in a bipartisan plan adopted in 2016. Currently, the renewable energy standard is set at 15%, but the partisan plan approved today would periodically increase the standard, ultimately spiking to 60% by 2033. Then a new clean energy standard of 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040. Clean energy is defined as energy generated without emitting greenhouse gas or being fueled by natural gas.

“Our families are already drowning in bills,” Roth said. “Now, Democrats are expecting families to tread water with the lights off. Green energy hasn’t been able to fulfill the small amounts of energy currently asked of them. How can we expect these unreliable sources to power Michigan industry and heat our homes?”

Each of the bills were ultimately approved by the House along party lines. House Bills 5120-5123 now advance to the Senate for further consideration. Senate Bills 271, 273 and 502, the clean energy mandates, will soon be presented to the governor for her expected signature.

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Rep. Roth proposal offers practical reforms for those with historic vehicles

Thu, 26 May 2022 02:41:24 GMT

RELEASE| May 25, 2022

Contact:

John Roth

A plan from state Rep. John Roth creating more flexibility for drivers of historic vehicles across the state was approved on Tuesday by the House Transportation Committee.

House Bill 5882 extends the period of use for historic vehicles on Michigan roads from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Currently, historic vehicles are only allowed to drive on Michigan roads in the month of August or to club events. Roth, of Traverse City, said the measure is a common-sense reform as exhibitions, parades, festivals and recreational opportunities span throughout the summer months and expanding the operational timeframe removes current barriers.

“We made an exception for the Dream Cruise in Oakland County several years ago,” Roth said. “But what about the other 82 counties in Michigan? What about people who wish to drive down the Old Mission Wine Trail in their historic vehicle during the summer? Or through the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs?

“Michiganders love our cars and we’re the car state. There is a lot of tourism benefit moving throughout Michigan when our cars are on the move – and this unlocks that potential while recognizing that there are a few perfectly good months besides August where these vehicles can be on the road and at shows or festivals for people to enjoy.”

The Michigan Vehicle Code defines a historic vehicle as one that is over 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector’s item or for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses – but is not used for general transportation.

Individuals can register a vehicle that meets these provisions, but Roth noted that many people are choosing not to register them as historic vehicles because of the current overly restrictive language regarding their use.

HB 5882 now moves to the full House for consideration.

Rep. Roth: Legislature’s tax cut plan will provide long-lasting and needed relief

Sat, 21 May 2022 02:41:24 GMT

This article is republished from the press release sent out from Representative John Roth's office and is located at: https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-roth-legislatures-tax-cut-plan-will-provide-long-lasting-and-needed-relief

RELEASE| May 20, 2022

Contact:

John Roth

State Rep. John Roth on Thursday helped advance a proposal that provides needed tax help for workers, families and seniors across Grand Traverse County.

House Bill 4568 and Senate Bill 784 reduce tax burdens in the face of historic inflation and establish targeted exemption reforms to help people keep more of what they earn. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently vetoed tax relief measures sent to her by Roth and the Legislature, but the first-term legislator noted people throughout northern Michigan and the state continue to struggle with rising costs.

“Out-of-control costs on gas, groceries, medicine and just about everything else there these days is a real setback for Michigan families and their finances – and it keeps playing out day after day,” said Roth, of Traverse City. “This plan provides real relief and establishes savings for people into the future as opposed to a small drop in the bucket like the one the governor has proposed.”

Highlights of the plan include:

Income tax cuts for Michigan workers . The Legislature’s plan cuts taxes by $2.5 billion annually by lowering the state income tax rate to 4 percent and allowing single filers to keep an extra $1,800 of what they earn each year tax-free, or $3,600 with joint filers, through increased personal income tax exemptions.
Additional tax exemptions for seniors . Under the approved plan, residents age 67 and older who may currently deduct $20,000 of income individually or $40,000 jointly would be eligible for an increase of $1,800 or $3,600, respectively, with future increases automatically adjusted for inflation.
Relief for working families . Families would be eligible for a new $500 nonrefundable tax credit for each dependent 18 years old or younger. The state Earned Income Tax Credit, which offers savings for lower-income families and individuals, would increase from 6% to 20% of eligible income — a change the governor has previously supported. Restoring the state Earned Income Tax Credit to 20% of eligible income will deliver an average state and federal refund of nearly $3,000 to more than 730,000 working people.
Expanded benefits for military heroes and their families . Under current state law, a veteran with a permanent and total disability resulting from military service is exempted from paying property tax on their home. The plan would extend that exemption to an eligible veteran’s surviving spouse and the spouse of a veteran killed in action. Veterans with a disability determined to be between 50% and 100% would be eligible for a property tax credit up to $2,000. The state will reimburse local governments for these exemptions, preserving local funding for essential services.

The bulk of the tax plan, contained in House Bill 4568, was approved by the state House and Senate on Thursday and now advances to the governor for consideration. The remainder of the plan in Senate Bill 784 was approved by the Senate and is expected to pass the House early next week.

Rep. Roth joins Legislature in approving comprehensive infrastructure plan

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 02:41:24 GMT

This article was republished from a press release distributed from Representative John Roth's office and can be found at: https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-roth-joins-legislature-in-approving-comprehensive-infrastructure-plan

March 25, 2022

State Rep. John Roth, of Traverse City, on Thursday voted to approve a sweeping infrastructure plan that will help northern Michigan make strides in key areas – including resources for high-speed internet access, water infrastructure and road repairs.

A combination of federal and state resources will provide a sizable investment to state and local infrastructure without creating debt for future generations. Roth said the commitments will protect families, spur community and economic development, and ramp up technology to meet today’s needs.

“These are things people in northern Michigan want and expect when I talk with them,” Roth said. “These issues matter – and these are improvements that will make Grand Traverse County a better place to work, live and raise a family for generations to come. With federal funding and a surplus of state funds, we had a unique opportunity to make this investment now.”

Roth underscored several features of Senate Bill 565:

A commitment to providing needed technology: A $250 million investment will boost access to the broadband internet needed for work, school and everyday life in northern Michigan. Many people in the region did not have reliable, high-speed internet access during the height of COVID-19. This caused some small businesses to struggle to operate online amidst shutdown orders and made remote learning more difficult compared to areas of the state with better access. Roth said the measure will help close the gap between serviced and un- or under-serviced.

Safe, clean drinking water: A nearly $2 billion investment will help provide safe drinking water and “clean water” grants in Michigan communities. The funding will also support wastewater infrastructure such as sewer systems, drinking water infrastructure, the replacement of lead service lines and assistance to disadvantaged communities for drinking water infrastructure projects, along with combatting PFAS and establishing “healthy hydration” centers in schools. The grants have helped alleviate administrative burdens for communities in northern Michigan that are looking to green light improvements or perform basic upkeep for residents.

Community support and development: Local communities across Michigan, including in northern Michigan, would receive $322 million in COVID relief and $46 million to protect against falling revenue that impacts critical local services. More support would also be provided for people working to stay in their homes. The state would be required to collaborate with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to distribute $120 million in federal funding to help prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, utility or internet service loss or homeowner displacement because of financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020.

A total of $50 million in federal COVID relief funds will be deposited into a new Missing Middle Gap program to increase housing supply for households with incomes between 185 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level. The commitment works to expand housing options and help hard-working people who have been affected through no fault of their own in the face of uncertain times and rising costs.

Road and bridge repairs: More than $380 million will assist state and local projects across the state, including in northern Michigan. Additional resources will support airports and other transportation projects.

Parks and recreation: Roth underscored the benefits northern Michigan’s vital tourism industry will see with $250 million to improve state parks, with an additional $200 million going to new projects in local parks. The Northern Michigan Tourism and Sports Fund would receive $20 million for facility upgrades, sports-related tourism initiatives and recreation projects across the region.

The plan will soon advance to the governor for consideration.