Michigan voters head to the polls August 5
BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Voters in Michigan will head to the polls next Tuesday. There is one statewide proposal on the ballot that is designed to help small businesses. Voters will decide whether the state eliminates its personal property tax for businesses.
"Your vote is your voice," said Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower.
Hightower says people need to flood the polls on August 5th
"This is going to help us in terms of making sure that we have the funds necessary for emergency services," said Hightower.
The most controversial thing on the ballot is Proposition One.
If voters approve the proposition, the personal property tax for businesses would be eliminated and counties would receive funds from the Local Community Stabilization Authority.
Mayor Hightower held a press conference to urge voters to get rid of the tax.
"The personal property tax is a tax that does not guarantee the funding for the community," said Hightower.
He says the current way emergency services are funded isn't reliable and depends on how much money the tax brings in from local businesses
"If a business which has certain equipment, decides to go out of business or loses that equipment, that tax goes away," said Hightower.
If people vote in favor of prop 1-the state will give a definite amount of money to each city every year.
"Will make sure that that funding remains at 100-percent for local communities, which will fund libraries, ambulance, police and fire and other essential services," said Hightower.
The state of Indiana got rid of its personal property business tax earlier this year, and Mayor Hightower says the state of Michigan needs to do the same.
"Benton Harbor needs vibrant businesses, we need to attract business, taking this tax away will enable us to do that," said Hightower.
Polls will be open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. To 8 p.m.
The election board is still putting together a list of where you can go to vote in your city.
Click here for more information on the election