Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a bill that would have allowed broadband providers to get a break on personal property taxes on when they install new equipment in underserved areas. The Associated Press reports “Whitmer said in her veto letter Wednesday
that such an action would ultimately cost schools funding while not requiring a high enough internet speed. Whitmer said while she supports efforts toward affordable high-speed internet she’s returning the bill to the Legislature.”
State Representative Pauline Wenzel is slamming the governor’s decision. She has released the following:
State Rep. Pauline Wendzel blasted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of legislation that would have expanded access to rural broadband.
Rep. Wendzel, a co-sponsor of House Bill 4210, says that the legislation would have lowered costs for service providers by exempting them from personal property taxes on broadband equipment under certain conditions. The legislation would have incentivized investments in rural communities leading to more people gaining access to high-speed internet.
“While Gretchen Whitmer and big city democrats enjoy access to this basic necessity, far too many people find themselves lacking access to high-speed internet,” Rep. Wendzel said. “I can’t even begin to count how many times I had to leave my house and drive into the city just to complete a Zoom or conference call. By vetoing this legislation, Governor Whitmer is telling rural Michigan that she doesn’t care that your kids are falling behind in school, that you’re out of luck if you run a small business, and that you don’t deserve access to a basic necessity she enjoys.”
Rep. Wendzel remarked, “I’d ask my constituents to send the governor an email, but their internet is too slow.”
