Mayes Spearheads Plan For Those That Contribute To The United Way
Bay City Lawmaker Creates Plan For Voluntary Income Tax Checkoff!
September 28, 2008
By: MyBayCity Staff
State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City)
LANSING: Ensuring local United Way agencies in Michigan have the resources they need to distribute funds and support our communities, the House Tax Policy Committee today passed a plan sponsored by State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) to create an income tax checkoff option that will provide Michigan residents with a convenient way to voluntarily donate to the United Way.
"Michigan residents are facing tough times, yet they continue to prove time and again just how generous they are," Mayes said. "I am working everyday to get our economy back on track and create good-paying jobs now for our residents. With this new tax checkoff option, residents who want to help make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family will have an easy way to contribute."
Checkoff boxes, which allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their tax return, are commonly used on income tax forms. Michigan currently has income tax checkoffs for the Animal Welfare Fund, the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund, the Children's Trust Fund, the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant Program, the Military Family Relief Fund, and Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Monument Fund.
The Michigan Association of United Ways is a nonprofit agency that was founded in 1947 by a group of community and labor leaders to simplify the gathering and distribution of funds that were received through charitable giving.
Jennifer Carroll, Executive Director of the Bay County United Way and Steve Rajewski, Community Services Director of the Bay County United Way both testified today before the House Tax Policy Committee to show their support for Mayes' plan.
Mayes' plan was passed today along with a plan introduced by State Representative Rick Jones
(R-Grand Ledge) that will create the United Way fund within the Michigan Department of Treasury to distribute the money raised by the checkoff option.
"United Ways across the state are working to address local basic needs and this plan will allow residents to help in this effort and make a positive impact on our community," Mayes said. "As a legislator, I am committed to working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle. This is an issue that has the potential to help move Michigan forward and that bipartisanship is especially important."