Michigan Senate rejects 5 more Whitmer nominees
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Senate Republicans on Wednesday rejected five more appointees nominated by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in a renewed attempt to voice displeasure with not having input into her administration’s pandemic restrictions.
The move came a week after the Senate blocked 13 gubernatorial nominees to send a message. Those disapproved Wednesday include appointees to three university governing boards — Grand Valley State, Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan — and the state cosmetology board.
The state health department has lifted many restrictions that were imposed in November to curb spiking coronavirus cases. But the GOP opposes remaining limits — such as a 25% capacity limit at restaurants and a ban on youth contact sports — and contends that Whitmer has circumvented the Legislature after losing a major emergency-powers case at the state Supreme Court.
“Where’s the balance at the bargaining table? It’s gone. It’s been abrogated, emasculated, taken away,” said Republican Sen. Ed McBroom of Vulcan, who said constituents “demand some effort to rebalance the scales.”
Democrats criticized the action.
Whitmer said last week that it is not unique for legislators to be mad at a governor over virus orders, saying it is happening across the country. The restrictions have kept people safe, she said, urging GOP lawmakers to stop “digging in about our disagreements.”
Treasury announces individual income tax return processing begins Feb. 12
The Michigan Department of Treasury on Wednesday announced that it will begin processing individual income tax returns on Friday, February 12.
The Feb. 12 processing date is the same as the Internal Revenue Service. For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income tax filing season are the same as the IRS.
Individuals can file their state income tax return online, with a tax professional or by mailing in paper forms and documentation. All state income tax returns and payment of any taxes owed must be received by April 15, 2021.
Tax software companies are beginning to accept tax returns now and will transmit submitted returns to the IRS and state Treasury Department on Feb. 12.
All employers were required to mail previous year wage statements – W-2s and 1099s – to their employees by Jan. 31. End-of-the-year pay stubs should not be used when filing a state income tax return because they are typically not an accurate reflection of all income received.
Taxpayers who rush to file without all the necessary paperwork will need to file an amended return later. State income tax returns filed without the required paperwork will be placed on hold for future processing and review.
To learn more about Michigan’s individual income tax, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax or follow the state Treasury Department on Twitter at @MITreasury.
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