Snyder's Budget Director Urges 'No' to Tougher Tax Raises - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

Governor Snyder's Budget Director John Nixon says the administration does not intend to raise taxes, but restricting the ability to do that raises concerns with the agencies that set the state's credit rating.

The governor is against the proposal to require a two thirds vote, not a simple majority vote, to raise taxes. The issue is dividing republicans.

Moss is at odds with the GOP Chair of the Senate Budget Committee who is voting no.

"I hope our people understand that they need to be flexible to respond to the unknown," Republican Senator Roger Kahn, Budget Chair.

The governor's budget director agrees. He worries that the agencies that set the state's credit rating will be nervous if the state needs to raise revenue to reduce its debt but can't do it because of this 'restrictive language.'

"Whenever you restrict those taxing abilities, it could have an impact on credit ratings because they impact your ability to pay back your date," said John Nixon.

But the backers of the amendment that turned in over 400,000 signatures to get this on the ballot say this is all about protecting taxpayers.

"This is a taxpayer protection that asks for broader public consensus. It asks for tax increases on Michigan families to be the last resort not the first resort," Amy Hagerstrom, a pro-supermajority tax vote.

Look for both sides to launch an aggressive campaign to get you to vote the way they want.