| There are seven sample letters below. Please copy and paste the letter(s) of your choice into a new document to fill-in and personalize, or print the letter/page and personalize, or write your own letter from scratch.
Letter 1: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative ___________________:
Give us the chance to make a difference in our states future. Put the Michigan FairTax (MFT) proposal on the Ballot in November so once again we can be proud of this great state. Michigan was once a leading economic state and is now at the bottom of the list. We are losing business, jobs, and people for all the wrong reasons.
After more than 30 years the people of this state realized that the Single Business Tax (SBT) was a big factor in our economic down turn and by petitions and your help we repealed it. Unfortunately we didn't have a good replacement plan and the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) is failing, as testified by business owners at recent state wide hearings. The MBT increases the business tax burden, picks winners and losers and is very difficult to comply with. What message are we sending businesses when we tax one at a higher rate than another?
Give the people the chance to choose how they want to raise revenues for the programs that are to be provided by their state government. Let them vote for a tax reform developed by the people for the people who ultimately pay all the taxes anyway. Why? ............because we all know that businesses don't pay Taxes........people do!
I look to you to represent the wishes of your constituents and change the future economic situation of our state. Place the MFT on the ballot so that we the people will have the opportunity decide how we want to be taxed.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org or feel free to contact me at __________________________ (phone and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
Letter 2: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative ___________________:
Show that you are doing your part by placing the Michigan FairTax proposal on the Ballot in November. This is the most important initiative for our states economic future. This proposal will achieve the following important economic factors:
1. It is fair to all businesses and consumers (no businesses pays state taxes and consumers all pay the same rate and receive the same prebate).
2. It legally shifts some of the tax burden to non residents as they buy goods and services in our state.
3. It is transparent (citizens see their true tax burden on every sales receipt).
4. It makes Michigan the most attractive place to do business by eliminating the tax burden from Michigan businesses, making them more competitive, which creates more jobs.
5. It stops punishing productive behavior by un-taxing work, savings, investments, and only taxes an individual when they take from society.
Please do your part and support a true tax reform that will permanently restore Michigan's economy.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org or feel free to contact me at __________________________ (phone and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name __________________________
Address ________________________
Letter 3: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative ___________________:
Michigan has lost over 490,000 jobs since 2001. To encourage companies to open new and expand current facilities in Michigan our states Economic Development Commission is granting tax exemptions to selected businesses. This tax abatement is being paid for by other businesses that are already in Michigan and it is encouraging them to leave our state. Robbing Peter to pay Paul? Based on the tax abatement per job granted to MPI Research, Inc. for 3,300 jobs in Kalamazoo, it would cost the state about $12.7 Billion in handpicked carve outs to buy the 490,000 jobs back. At this rate Michigan will join many of it's homeowners who have been foreclosed and are declaring bankruptcy!
Recent newspaper headlines read. "Michigan will have to trim.......$170 to 350 Million...... in spending for next year". It then went on to describe the "Perfect Storm". Almost every point described a tax revenue loss due to businesses tax incentives. We are handing out incentives to businesses that some bureaucrats think might boost the economy.
So, what are most of those incentives? Business Tax Cuts! So, if tax cuts are what it takes to get business to come to Michigan and boost the economy, what would you think would happen if Michigan made it fair and cut taxes to all business? It would stand to reason that the economy would Boom! Instead of giving this to just a chosen few like MPI and the Hollywood movie companies, it should be good for all those loyal business and job providers already in the State and those thinking of coming here.
So please, stop debating who needs the next tax incentives, or how can we tweak the tax laws to give this business lobbyist a favor on the premise of doing us a favor for jobs. Make it fair for businesses and support the Michigan FairTax proposal. It will raise the needed state revenues with a simple retail sales tax and it will make Michigan an attractive place for all job providers to locate their businesses.
Please act to place the Michigan FairTax on the November Ballot.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org or feel free to contact me at __________________________ (phone and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
Letter 4: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative ___________________:
I was initially a little apprehensive about the MI FairTax proposal and for that reason I can understand that you may have concerns. It is apparent, however, that something must be done about our current Tax laws to make them fair and pro growth.
I believe in due diligence and the more I study the MI FairTax, the more sense it makes, and the more data I find to support it.
It was a very interesting exercise to illustrate what a portion of the MI FairTax proposal (elimination of the state income tax) has on a states economy. Most startling is what is happening to Michigan where we have punished business with the SBT and MBT, and where we have punished the productivity of individuals with our state income tax. This has got to stop and today is when we should draw a line in the sand.
There is too much at stake and we have reached the point at which a person needs to look beyond politics and personal gain to take a stand and say enough is enough. I ask the hard question. What do you stand for and what is our governments' plan? From the illustrations you can see that Texas is the most impressive. It has one of the highest economic/growth rates and has no income tax and one of the lowest taxes/capita in the nation. I have not seen any other proposal for the State of Michigan that has as much study, support, and positive advantages as the MI FairTax proposal.
Please take another hard look at this proposal and make a difference in our community, county, district, state, and nation. I'm confident you want to do the right thing for our state and citizens. All I ask is that you look and compare the alternative tax systems and their economic results with what we have today and our economic results. Eliminate taxation of business and individual productive behavior and allow the people of Michigan to be taxed directly rather than dishonestly with hidden taxes in the prices of the things they buy. The MI FairTax as all about truth in taxation and job creation.
I will try to address any concern or thoughts you may have. Question are always a great way to learn and I'll do my best to provide you with answers to your questions.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org or feel free to contact me at __________________________ (phone and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
Letter 5: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative _____________________:
I am writing today to ask your assistance in giving me and the voters of Michigan the opportunity to vote on the MI FairTax proposal. I see no reason why this legislative proposal, presented as a bipartisan Joint Resolution on May 3, 2007, should not be placed before the electorate. Since a FairTax would be a very good solution to Michigan's fiscal crisis, and bring the benefits of economic growth, and prosperity to our state, I would find the failure to obtain 2/3 of Michigan's elected representatives to place the MI FairTax on the ballot a little disturbing.
I petition you, as my elected representative, to give me the power to decide my own destiny. Become a cosponsor of the House-Senate Joint Resolution on the MI FairTax, and give the voters in our district the right to say yea or nay to this important constitutional change.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org, or feel free to contact me at ______________________________ (phone number and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name ____________________________
Address __________________________ Letter 6: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative _____________________:
Change is never easy, however I must ask your cooperation as the state of Michigan seeks to place its financial house in order. I am sure you are aware that a bipartisan Joint Resolution was introduced on May 3, 2007 calling for a ballot proposal to be put before the people concerning the MI FairTax. I am a MI FairTax supporter, and did not find your name among those listed as cosponsors which brings me to the point of this letter. I ask you to give me and the voters in our district the power to decide our own fate concerning taxes. Please take all action possible in your role as a state legislator to place the resolution before the legislature, and then vote YES, when the MI FairTax ballot proposal legislation reaches the floor. I will be very disappointed if the only way I can attain representation on the MI FairTax issue is through the use of a ballot petition initiative, obtaining voter signatures to place the MI FairTax on the ballot.
I do sincerely hope we can work together to avoid such an outcome. With respect and appreciation for all you do.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org, or feel free to contact me at ______________________________ (phone number and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
Letter 7: Dear Senator _____________: or Dear Representative _____________________:
A Joint Resolution proposing a vote in a statewide election concerning the MI FairTax was introduced on May 3 of last year. I call upon you to support this initiative, and give me and the people of our district the opportunity to decide our own fate with regards to tax policy. You may not be aware that the MI FairTax offers Michigan its best chance to have a tax policy which provides jobs, growth, and enough income to keep our states fiscal house in order. Because the MI FairTax eliminates individual income taxes and most business taxes and almost all tax compliance, some individuals and organizations providing tax lobbying and compliance services today may feel they have less to offer their employers or clients under the MI FairTax. For this reason, I encourage you to talk to CEO's, rather than their tax department heads, about the elimination of business taxes; and I encourage you to talk with your neighbors, rather than tax professionals, about the elimination of the state income tax.
Michigan needs the MI FairTax, based on the principals set down in the National FairTax proposal HR25 and SR25 now before the US Congress. Make no mistake about the MI FairTax, it will not go away. The MI FairTax is based on the American idea of fairness and equality for all. The MI FairTax is the legislation which will give Michigan back its greatness, and make it a Midwest leader in both growth and jobs. For the above reasons, I implore you to act to work with your colleagues to pass Joint Resolution "L" which will give the citizens of Michigan the opportunity to vote on the MI FairTax proposal.
Information on the MI FairTax is available at www.mifairtax.org, or feel free to contact me at ______________________________ (phone number and/or e-mail address).
Sincerely,
Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
Co-Sponsors of Michigan House Joint Resolution L (the MI FairTax Proposal) in alphabetical order:
State Rep. Daniel Acciavatti (Chesterfield)
State Rep. David Agema (Grandville)
State Rep. Richard Ball (Lainsburg)
State Rep. Darwin Booher (Evart)
State Rep. Brian Calley (Portland)
State Rep. Tom Casperson (Escanaba)
State Rep. Bruce Caswell (Hillsdale)
State Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer (Bellaire)
State Rep. Judy Emmons (Sheridan)
State Rep. Edward Gaffney (Grosse Pointe Farms)
State Rep. John Garfield (Rochester Hills)
State Rep. Jacob Hoogendyk (Portage)
State Rep. Kenneth Horn (Frankenmuth)
State Rep. Rick Jones (Oneida Township)
State Rep. Marty Knollenberg (Troy)
State Rep. Philip LaJoy (Canton)
State Rep. David Law (Commerce Township)
State Rep. James Marleau (Lake Orion)
State Rep. Arlan Meekhof (West Olive)
State Rep. Kim Meltzer (Clinton Township)
State Rep. Tim Moore (Farwell)
State Rep. Chuck Moss (Birmingham)
State Rep. Mike Nofs (Battle Creek)
State Rep. Paul Opsommer (Dewitt)
State Rep. Brian Palmer (Romeo)
State Rep. David Palsrok (Manistee)
State Rep. John Pastor (Livonia)
State Rep. Phillip Pavlov (St. Clair Township)
State Rep. David Robertson (Grand Blanc)
State Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker (Lawton)
State Rep. Rick Shaffer (Three Rivers)
State Rep. Fulton Sheen (Plainwell)
State Rep. John Stahl (North Branch)
State Rep. John Stakoe (Highland)
State Rep. Glenn Steil (Grand Rapids)
State Rep. Lorence Wenke (Kalamazoo) Taxpayers United Michigan Foundation | 
