Speaker from Richland Township Leads Push to Scrap State Property Tax

*Matt Hall, the Michigan House Speaker who represents Richland Township, is leading a Republican effort to eliminate the state property tax. The proposal could save the average Michigan household about $900 per year*, according to Hall.

The plan comes as the Michigan Legislature returns to work Tuesday after a week-long break. Hall told reporters he has been working closely with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on budget negotiations.

"I hear from people across the state that the property tax bills are getting too high," Hall said. "So what we're looking at is getting rid of the state property tax, which would save the average taxpayer about $900 a year."

Budget Talks Move Forward

The Michigan Senate passed its budget proposal the week before last. The House passed its budget almost a month ago. According to Hall, that was the earliest the House has passed a budget in 15 years.

Hall said budget negotiations will take place between the House and the governor, with the Senate following the governor's lead.

"I've been working very closely with Gov. Whitmer," Hall said. "We've been talking kind of laying out, what what, some preliminary ideas of what a budget deal might look like."

Democrats Question the Math

House Democrats are pushing back on the property tax elimination plan. They argue the proposal lacks detail on how the lost revenue would be replaced, particularly for school funding.

Rep. Matt Longjohn (D-Portage), the House minority leader, called the proposal theatrical rather than substantive.

"I sometimes see these proposals and recognize them as being more theatrics than substance," Longjohn said. "I haven't seen anybody who's sharpened a pencil and talked about things besides all services would be taxed. What services? We haven't see them actually spell out what those are."

Longjohn said House Democrats, who are outnumbered by Republicans, plan to work with Senate Democrats and the governor's office to protect taxpayer interests.

"House Republicans are outnumbered," Longjohn said. "House Dems will be working with our Senate Dems and gubernatorial counterparts to try and make sure that this is a budget that does the work of Michigan taxpayers."

Free School Meals Remain Off the Table

One area of bipartisan agreement is the continuation of free school meals for all Michigan students. Both Hall and Longjohn affirmed support for the program.

"All kids in Michigan are getting breakfast and lunch in schools," Hall said.

Longjohn echoed the sentiment.

"Children can't learn if they're hungry," he said.

Looking Ahead to November

Both parties are framing their legislative priorities around the November elections. Hall outlined additional Republican goals beyond the property tax plan.

"We're looking at cutting the income tax dramatically, eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse from the budget, and reforming energy policy to make your energy bill more affordable and reliable," Hall said.

Longjohn said Democrats are focusing on healthcare access, education funding, and affordability for working families.

"What Dems are running on right now is to make sure that people know where you can get your health care, know that Dems are going to be fighting for your kids education, your ability for lifelong education, for community development that makes our community stronger, and to address affordability," Longjohn said.

Hall acknowledged that a new governor and Senate leader could take office in 2027, opening the door to more possibilities. He said any progress would require both branches to be willing to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from state spending.

What This Means for Richland Township Residents

For residents in Richland Township and across Kalamazoo County, the property tax elimination proposal could reshape how local services are funded. The state property tax currently provides a significant portion of school aid in Michigan. Any elimination would require a replacement funding source, though Hall has not specified what that source would be.

The proposal would be tied to the broader budget negotiations. No timeline was given for when a vote could occur.