State Rep. John Roth on Thursday announced his bipartisan plan to secure tax relief for Northern Michigan residents affected by the historic ice storm earlier this year. The storm knocked hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses out of power, closed schools for week, and caused around $300 million in damages.

“Things have been hard for residents in Northern Michigan and that was before this ice storm ravished our communities,” said Roth, R-Interlochen. “My plan recognizes the hurt our Northern Michigan residents are feeling and looks to return some of their hard-earned tax dollars back to them. In recent years, we’ve seen Lansing Democrats spend our money on coffee makers, swimming pools, petting zoos, and other wasteful pet projects. If we can pay for that crap, there’s no reason we can’t help Northern Michigan get back on its feet.”

Roth’s legislation, House Bill 4387, would offer a tax credit for up to $5,000 to residents who live in a county covered by the state of emergency declared by the governor. Those counties include Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle.

The tax credit is meant to support residents who are still working to clean up the extensive damages brought on by the storm. Many people have already or will have to pay for generators, heaters, tarps, new appliances, chainsaws, tree and debris removal, and structure repairs.

The bill was referred to the House Finance Committee for further consideration.

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