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Washtenaw County Economic Development Millage Increased, Faces Potential Challenge

Washtenaw County is increasing a tax for economic development and agriculture, but is likely also facing a lawsuit over the tax. 

The County Commissioners voted seven to one last night to levy a .07 mill public act 88 tax. 

Bill McMaster is the chair of Taxpayers United and served as director for the Headlee Amendment campaign in 1978.  McMaster says the tax is unconstitutional because it wasn't approved by voters.

County officials however say voter approval isn't needed because the act is from 1913, well before the Headlee Amendment was approved.  They say the state legislature recently reviewed Act 88 and didn't change it.

Like many, I first came to this area when I started school at the University of Michigan, then fell in love with the community and haven’t left. After graduating from U of M in the mid 1990’s I interned at WDET for several years, while also working a variety of jobs in Ann Arbor. Then in 1999 I joined the WEMU news team.
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