SBT Hearing Is Today

GRAND RAPIDS — A joint committee of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Tax Committee will hear testimony from local businesses today concerning Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to restructure the Single Business Tax.

All business and community leaders are invited to share their views with the bi-partisan committee, chaired by Rep. Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell, from 1-3 p.m. at Grand Valley State University’s Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids.

No registration is required, but participants are encouraged to arrive at 1 p.m.

“The governor has had a chance to present her side and a lot of the big organizations like the trade associations and the chambers have made their points,” said Tim Sievers, spokesman for Senate Finance Committee Chair Nancy Cassis. “We’ve heard from them, now we’d like to hear from the local businesses and see how they feel.”

Sievers said the committee is hoping to hear from businesses representing as many industries as possible.

“The governor claims it will reduce the burden for most manufacturers, but some manufacturers will see an increase,” Sievers said. “There is a 2-percent rate increase for the insurance industry. What effect is that going to have on that business?

“Every sector, if they looked at it, will have an idea how this is going to affect them.”