promoting small business through policy

Small business owners are the backbone of our economy.  Unfortunately, Michigan small businesses have experienced massive setbacks due to Whitmer’s over-the-top restrictions.  Small businesses provide the majority of jobs in the state, and it is critical to ensure Michigan's entrepreneurs are given every tool possible for success and growth.  State government must keep business taxes low and eliminate red tape, which prevents businesses from creating more jobs.

In early 2021, the House Appropriation Committee, which Thomas chair’s, rolled out an Afflicted Business Plan.  This plan offered a reimbursement of property taxes and other fees for businesses.  This $400+ million plan was narrowly focused on businesses who were prohibited from operating and resultantly experienced revenue losses during the time when the executive orders were in effect.  The governor vetoed this plan when it was most needed in March of 2021, but it was later signed into law in December of 2021.

In the 2022 budget, Thomas was successful at depositing $150 million into the Unemployment Insurance Trust to cover state funds that were recklessly paid by the administration to fraudulent claims.  This trust is 100% employer-paid and it would not be fair for small businesses to pay back funds that were misappropriated by the government.  Unfortunately, it is becoming apparent that far more funds were lost to fraud than previously thought. 

In 2019, Thomas opposed the governor’s proposal to increase small business taxes from the personal tax rate of 4.25% to 6%.  This proposal would have had a negative impact on the ability of small businesses to create jobs and support our local communities.  

Arguably, the worst tax in Michigan is the Personal Property Tax.  Thomas was proud to support the increased threshold of the Personal Property Tax exemption from $80,000 to $180,000.  This will greatly increase the number of small businesses that do not have to navigate one of the most convoluted taxes ever created.

Lastly, in 2020, Thomas championed a bill which limited COVID-related liability for businesses.  This allowed businesses that were following the law to be protected from frivolous lawsuits.  This greatly helped bring some much-needed certainty to Michigan businesses that were already struggling to stay afloat.