The state Legislature has several bills in the works that would limit local government authority.
Several preemption bills passed the state Senate this week.
One bill gets rid of a local government’s ability to prevent employers from asking for a potential employee’s wage history during an interview.
Another says cities and counties can’t pass their own food and beverage taxes.
Republican Senator Peter MacGregor is that bill’s sponsor. When defending the bill, he gave the reason most lawmakers give when it comes to bills that preempt certain activity.
“We can’t have a patchwork of certain cities and certain counties tax certain items and others don’t.”
One prevents municipalities from taxing food and beverages.
Democratic Senator Rebekah Warren opposed the bill. She says this law would have no immediate impact. That’s because there are no cities or counties trying to tax food and beverages.
“What this policy will do is take one more tool out of the toolbox of our local units of government.”
Last year, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation eliminating a city’s ability to tax plastic grocery bags. Now, lawmakers are trying to prevent local taxes on food and beverages. A bill to prevent those taxes passed in the state Senate this week.
Republican Senator Peter MacGregor is that bill’s sponsor. He says the state constitution already prohibits a state tax on food and beverages.
“But unfortunately there’s a potential of some loopholes and some skirting of our Constitution.”
Opponents say it takes away power from local governments.
Another preemption bill concerns job interviews. Local governments wouldn’t be allowed to pass ordinances that stop employers from asking potential employees for their wage histories during interviews.