Downriver Today

State Representative Jamie Thompson of Brownstown has emphasized the need for legislative action on affordability plans she has sponsored. These plans aim to ease financial burdens for residents in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Thompson has co-sponsored a bill proposing an annual sales tax holiday on back-to-school items during the third weekend of August. However, this proposal has not yet been heard in the House.

"As a mother and grandparent, I know how expensive back-to-school shopping can be," Thompson stated. "I also represent many families and hardworking teachers who are feeling the immense strain of high costs on their budgets every single day and could use this tax relief."

She continued, "These are good plans that will help make our communities and our state a more affordable and desirable place to live and work. But we need to see action on them in order to get them to the governor’s desk so people can start putting more money back in their pockets."

The proposed legislation includes House Bills 5805 and 5809, which would eliminate Michigan's 6% sales tax on various school-related items such as clothing and computers. This initiative mirrors successful tax holidays in other states that provide financial relief during peak spending periods.

According to a National Retail Federation study, households with K-12 students are expected to spend an average of $918 on back-to-school shopping this year—a $28 increase from last year. Since 2018, these costs have risen by nearly $250 per household, with projections indicating that expenses may exceed $1,000 by 2027.

Additionally, Thompson's plan under HB 5810 seeks to enhance childcare accessibility by increasing capacity within family childcare homes or group childcare homes. The bill also proposes tax credits for home purchase down payments and qualified home improvements.

"The cost of everyday expenditures is one of the top things I hear about from people in our area," Thompson remarked. "I will continue pushing for ways to make life more affordable, and these reforms are a needed step in that direction."