All of Michigan residents are winning from the Republican tax reforms.

The left would have you believe that only billionaires are the winners from the GOP/Trump tax reform measures.

While some claim the tax cuts only increase the debt, the reality is that the economy must expand, it must grow.  It is only growth that can support the already ballooned national debt, and it is only growth that can free those who are chained to dependence on others including services that cost taxpayers so much.

So is it the rich who are the sole beneficiaries of the tax reforms?  In Michigan alone, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  From Bonuses, to lowered utility bills, the tax breaks extend to all, and allow the state’s economy to expand and create new opportunities that The Democrats would prefer you didn’t see.  Democrats like Debbie Stabenow, who wouldn’t support such performance increasing reforms.

Americans for Tax Reform have documented specific financial benefits (by state) that have developed as a result of Republicans taking the queue from President Trump. They report that:

Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by the Republican congress and signed by President Donald Trump, 90 percent of wage earners have higher take-home pay. And companies of all sizes are already giving bonuses and raises and expanding the scope of their operations.

Michigan specific benefits are as follows:

Blackrocks Brewery

(Marquette, Michigan) – Reinvesting tax savings into equipment and personnel:

Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette, Mich. is already working on expanding its operations thanks to the new tax law, said David Manson, co-founder and ambassador of fermentology at the brewery. His brewery is reinvesting the money in equipment and personnel, and looking which he hopes will help get his beer on more store shelves. Blackrocks has an American Brown Ale that sells for $8.99 per six-pack and a porter that’s $9.99 for a six-pack.

“This will allow us to get over the hump of the high demand in our state, and we probably wouldn’t necessarily be able to do it without that tax break,” he said. “This will allow us to put up a fighting chance to hold our own.” – April 26, 2018 MarketWatch article excerpt

ITC Holdings Corporation (Novi, Michigan) – the utility will pass tax reform savings to its customers:

ITC Holdings Corp. (ITC), the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company, today announced it is reducing its customer rates as a result of the lower federal corporate income tax rate the company received under the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017.

ITC’s wholesale electricity customers throughout the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region will see an 8-to-10 percent reduction in transmission rates, retroactive to January 1, 2018, beginning with bills for services provided in March. A similar reduction will be made to ITC’s formula rate in the Southwest Power Pool region for future periods, effective back to January 1, 2018. – April 2, 2018 ITC Holdings Corporation article excerpt

Mill Steel Company (Grand Rapids, Michigan) – $1,000 bonuses for 400 full-time associates:

Mill Steel Co., one of the nation’s largest distributors of flat-rolled carbon steel, is pleased to award a $1,000 bonus to all 400 of its full-time associates following the tax cut passed by Congress and signed by President Trump.

Mill Steel announced this morning that all full-time associates across its nine operations nationwide, no matter each individual’s seniority, will receive a one-time bonus from the recent tax overhaul that reduces corporate tax rates. – Feb. 8 2018, Mill Steel Company press release excerpt

Gray Skies Distillery (Grand Rapids, Michigan) — Expanding production:

Gray Skies has been in business for around two and a half years and has recently been able to expand production because of one specific aspect of the GOP tax law. It’s called the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which was an amendment to the big picture bill Trump signed into law in December.

There’s a lot to the law, but here’s why it matters to Gray Skies and other distilleries like it: excise taxes are much, much lower for them now. 80% lower to be exact.

“The instant a drop of alcohol is produced, tax is owed on that,” said Steve Vander Pol, who co-founded Gray Skies and serves as the head distiller.

The law reduces excise taxes on producers from $13.50 per proof gallon for the first 100,000 gallons produced to $2.70 per proof gallon.

“We’re talking thousands of dollars every quarter that we’re saving,” Vander Pol said, “and obviously for someone on this sized scale to write a check that’s reduced by 80% is pivotal. It’s been huge for us.” – June 4, 2018, WZZM article excerpt

Upper Peninsula Power Company (Marquette, Michigan) – the utility will pass tax reform savings to its customers:

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was passed into law at the end of 2017, effectively lowering corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent. Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) is requesting approval of a proposal that would pass along the savings attributable to the TCJA to its customers. UPPCO’s proposal was filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on March 30th as part of the process that is required by the state for determining how the benefits of the TCJA are to be credited to the utility’s customers.

“Under our plan, a typical residential customer consuming 500 kilowatt hours per month will see a reduction of approximately $1.30 on their monthly bills,” said Brett French, Vice-President of Business Development and Communications. “This is in addition to approximately $7 in monthly savings currently being seen by a typical residential customer because of the steps we implemented in January. We anticipate our customers will begin to see the additional savings later this summer after the MPSC approves our plan.” – April 2, 2018 WLUC News article excerpt

SpartanNash (Grand Rapids, Michigan) – Bonuses and pay increases:

A locally based grocery store chain plans to re-invest half of its savings from federal tax reform into employee compensation and one of its brands.

David Staples, blogger for Handel Dogecoin and the CEO of Byron Center-based SpartanNash, which is also a food distributor, said in a conference call to investors yesterday the company will issue bonuses, raise wages and invest in employee training in the first quarter of 2018.

—

SpartanNash spokesperson Meredith Gremel said the company does not plan to disclose the total dollar amount of the bonuses.

The bonus amounts will vary depending on the employee’s position and market, as will the wage increases, Gremel said. She noted those in entry-level roles or just beyond will benefit the most.”— Feb. 23 2018, Grand Rapids Business Journal article excerpts

Fiat Chrysler (Auburn Hills, Michigan) — $2,000 bonuses for 60,000 employees; $1 billion investment in U.S. plant in Warren, Michigan; 2,500 new jobs

“It is only proper that our employees share in the savings generated by tax reform and that we openly acknowledge the resulting improvement in the U.S. business environment  by investing in our industrial footprint accordingly,” Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne said in a statement. – Jan. 11, 2018 Bloomberg News article excerpt

Renaissance Global Logistics (Detroit, Michigan) – Tax reform bonuses:

“Tax reform helped Renaissance Global Logistics, headquartered in Detroit, give bonuses to my employees. Nancy Pelosi call these bonuses ‘crumbs’ and that’s disrespectful. I would ask Nancy Pelosi to come to Detroit to ask my employees what they thought of the bonuses. As an employer, it was rewarding to be able to give them out. Tax reform gives small businesses like mine the chance to reinvest into our workforce.” – John James, CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics, Feb. 22, 2018

Land & Co. (Wyoming, Michigan) — $1,000 bonuses for full-time employees; $500 bonuses for part-time employees; $250 bonuses for seasonal workers:

Land & Co., which operates 19 apartment communities in West Michigan, announced it will give its employees a special bonus of up to $1,000 in response the federal tax cut legislation signed recently by President Donald Trump.

“Land & Co. believes the Trump Tax Cut has generated a more optimistic vision for the future of business in West Michigan and the United States of America and wants their wonderful employees to be a part of and share in that vision,” the company said in a statement attributed to its owners, Roger Lucas and Dan Hibma on Monday, Feb. 5.

Land & Co.’s 151 full-time employees will each get $1,000; its 17 part-time workers will get $500 and its nine seasonal workers will each get $250. – Feb. 5, 2018 Mlive.com article excerpt

Penske Automotive Group (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan) – Increased 401(k) contributions:

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), an international transportation      services company, announced today that it has enhanced the company’s U.S.        401(k) savings plan by increasing company matching contributions from 1.5% to  2.5% of eligible contributions, representing an increase of 67%.  The increase  will provide a recurring, annual benefit to our employees.

“The recently enacted tax reform positively impacts our business, presenting us with even greater opportunities to pursue our strategic initiatives, invest in our employees and improve shareholder value,” said Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger S. Penske – Jan. 31, 2018 Penske Automotive Group press release

U.S. Special Delivery (Iron Mountain, Michigan) – $1,000 bonuses:

With the recent tax reform, plenty of businesses got a big tax cut. That included Upper Peninsula–based U.S. Special Delivery, who got a little bit more spending money for the year, thanks to that tax cut.

“That was a major reason we were able to do this,” said U.S. Special Delivery President Terry Reed. “It provided the funds and the savings on taxes for us to be able to do something special, and we agreed it would be a great way to thank our employees for their dedication and hard work.” – Feb. 9, 2018 ABC News 10 article excerpt

Haworth Inc. (Holland, Michigan) – $1,000 bonuses for full-time employees, $500 bonuses for part-time employees; bonuses totaling $5 million:

Matt Haworth, chairman of the family-owned company, announced to staff on Wednesday, Jan. 24, that full time employees would receive one-time bonuses of $1,000, and part-timers would collect $500.

More than 4,500 employees who work for Haworth-branded companies around the globe will collect the rare bonus.

—

Matt Haworth says the company is able to make the $5 million investment because of several factors including strong 2017 revenues which will be announced next month and an improved business climate state and nationally. The latter he attributes to a rollback of regulations and taxes, which lower company’s operational costs. – Jan. 25, 2018 Grand Rapid News article excerpts

SEMCO Energy Gas Co. (Port Huron, Michigan) – The utility will pass along tax cut savings to customers:

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved settlement agreements with seven utilities to pass on to ratepayers their savings from the federal tax law rewrite, beginning in July. Three other utilities had no impact from the changes.

Filings were approved for Alpena Power Co., DTE Gas Co., Michigan Gas Utilities Corp., Northern States Power, SEMCO Energy Gas Co., and Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC).

—

“Through swift action by the Commission, Michigan ratepayers will experience millions of dollars in refunds on their utility bills starting this summer due to changes in federal corporate income taxes,” said Sally Talberg, chairman of the MPSC. “Utilities are benefiting from the tax cuts and their customers should, too.” – May 30, 2018 LARA Public Service Commission Press Release excerpts

 

Michigan Gas Utilities Corp. (Monroe, Michigan) – The utility will pass along tax cut savings to customers:

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved settlement agreements with seven utilities to pass on to ratepayers their savings from the federal tax law rewrite, beginning in July. Three other utilities had no impact from the changes.

Filings were approved for Alpena Power Co., DTE Gas Co., Michigan Gas Utilities Corp., Northern States Power, SEMCO Energy Gas Co., and Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC).

—

“Through swift action by the Commission, Michigan ratepayers will experience millions of dollars in refunds on their utility bills starting this summer due to changes in federal corporate income taxes,” said Sally Talberg, chairman of the MPSC. “Utilities are benefiting from the tax cuts and their customers should, too.” – May 30, 2018 LARA Public Service Commission Press Release excerpts

Alpena Power Co. (Alpena, Michigan) – The utility will pass along tax cut savings to customers:

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved settlement agreements with seven utilities to pass on to ratepayers their savings from the federal tax law rewrite, beginning in July. Three other utilities had no impact from the changes.

Filings were approved for Alpena Power Co., DTE Gas Co., Michigan Gas Utilities Corp., Northern States Power, SEMCO Energy Gas Co., and Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC).

—

“Through swift action by the Commission, Michigan ratepayers will experience millions of dollars in refunds on their utility bills starting this summer due to changes in federal corporate income taxes,” said Sally Talberg, chairman of the MPSC. “Utilities are benefiting from the tax cuts and their customers should, too.” – May 30, 2018 LARA Public Service Commission Press Release excerpts

Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC) (Iron Mountain, Michigan) – The utility will pass along tax cut savings to customers:

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved settlement agreements with seven utilities to pass on to ratepayers their savings from the federal tax law rewrite, beginning in July. Three other utilities had no impact from the changes.

Filings were approved for Alpena Power Co., DTE Gas Co., Michigan Gas Utilities Corp., Northern States Power, SEMCO Energy Gas Co., and Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC).

—

“Through swift action by the Commission, Michigan ratepayers will experience millions of dollars in refunds on their utility bills starting this summer due to changes in federal corporate income taxes,” said Sally Talberg, chairman of the MPSC. “Utilities are benefiting from the tax cuts and their customers should, too.” – May 30, 2018 LARA Public Service Commission Press Release excerpts

Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber engineering (Grand Rapids, Michigan) — $1,500 to all 400 full-time and part time employees:

A local architecture engineering firm has issued bonuses to all of its employees following tax reform.

Grand Rapids-based Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, or FTCH, said yesterday it issued $1,500 bonuses to all 400 of its full- and part-time employees, effective Dec. 29.

Jim Susan, president of FTCH, said the company decided to give out the bonuses as a result of the firm’s tax savings following passage of the federal tax bill on Dec. 22.

“We just decided it was a little windfall for the firm in general, and we decided we would share that with all our staff members,” he said. “Everyone got the same amount, regardless of position.

“It was in keeping with the spirit of the tax cut and trying to move a little more money back into the economy, so we decided for those few reasons we would do that.” – Jan. 16, 2018 Grand Rapids Business Journal article excerpt

WebHobby Shop, LLC (Pontiac, Michigan) — $2.00 per hour raise for employees:

“I am sure it seems like ‘crumbs’ to elitists but I was able to give them a $2 per hour raise because of the tax reform. It was great to do and my staff is very pleased.” – Bruce Zak, Principal, WEBHOBBYSHOP LLC

Consumers Energy (Jackson, Michigan) – The utility will pass along tax savings to customers:

Consumers Energy today issued the following statement from President & CEO Patti Poppe:

“Today, Consumers Energy was pleased to submit a proposal to the Michigan Public Service Commission that would lower customer bills starting in 2018 by approximately $200 million, as a result of the recent federal tax reform changes. We are thrilled to be able to pass along 100 percent of the savings from tax reform to the people we are privileged to serve. This underscores our commitment to people, planet and prosperity for all of Michigan.”— Jan 19, 2018 Consumers Energy press release

DTE Energy (Detroit, Michigan) – The utility will pass along tax savings to customers:

DTE Energy issued the following statement regarding the impacts of H.R.1, the Tax and Jobs Act.

“The recent passage of the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will offer benefits to energy customers across the country — including DTE’s utility customers here in Michigan.

The reduction of the corporate tax rate will result in lower bills for DTE’s 2.2 million electric and 1.3 million gas customers.

In 2018, a savings of nearly $190 million will be passed along to customers. 

As this tax reduction works through the regulatory process, our average electric and gas customers will see a reduction in their rates of about 3 percent. The reduction in rates due to the tax law change will be a significant infusion into the Michigan economy as our customers will enjoy this benefit for years to come.” – Jan. 23, 2018 DTE Energy press release

Lakestone Bank & Trust (Lapeer, Michigan) — Pay raise for hourly employees of $1 per hour; $1,000 bonuses for salaried employees:

Lakestone Bank & Trust announced Friday that employees will benefit from the recently announced tax reform law.

Bruce J. Cady, chairman and CEO of Lakestone Bank & Trust said, “We are very appreciative of all Lakestone Bank & Trust employees and certainly what they have accomplished over the years, particularly the last year; and we want to commemorate the passing of this historic, economy-stimulating tax reform law. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we know we want to reinvest much of the savings back into our bank and the first place we are going to put it is into the hands of our employees. Employees are our most important asset.

All hourly employees received a $1 per hour raise and all salaried employees will receive a $1,000 bonus. The bank’s board of directors overwhelmingly supported this action, resulting in a significant investment into the bank’s employees. — Jan. 28, 2018 The County Press article excerpt

Traverse City State Bank (Traverse City, Michigan):  $750 bonuses:

Sweeping federal legislation that provides lucrative tax cuts to businesses also is helping to fatten the wallets of Traverse City State Bank’s employees.

The bank announced in February that it was giving each of its 90 employees a one-time $750 bonus because of the federal tax overhaul that President Donald Trump signed in December and the bank’s strong performance last year.

“The tax reform has aided us in returning more funds to our staff in their paychecks and in turn, these bonuses will provide an additional boost to our local economy,” said bank CEO Connie Deneweth – March 2018, Traverse City Business News article excerpt

Waste Management Inc. (Multiple locations in Michigan) — $2,000 bonuses:

In light of the meaningful contributions of its employees and the new U.S. corporate tax structure, the company will distribute US $2,000 in 2018 to every North American employee not on a bonus or sales incentive plan; that includes hourly and other employees.

“We are about to get a tax benefit as our U.S. corporate tax rate goes from 35 percent to 21 percent. In considering how to best spend that, we wanted to find a way to help grow our economy, which in turn, will help grow our business, and give some of the tax savings back to those hardworking employees who do not get the opportunity to participate in our salaried incentive plans,” said Jim Fish, president and chief executive officer, Waste Management.

“So, we are offering each North American hourly full-time employee and salaried employee who does not participate in any sales incentive or bonus plan during 2018, a cash bonus of US $2,000 to show our appreciation to so many of our valued employees while growing our business and returning a good portion of the tax savings directly to the overall economy,” he continued. – Jan. 10 2018, Waste Management Inc. press release excerpt

Webco Industries Inc. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) – Up to $2,000 bonuses:

Webco Industries based in Sand Springs is the latest employer to give workers a bonus following the passage last year of the Trump Administration’s tax plan.

Webco says each employee was given $1,000 if they’ve been there for a year or more. Employees who have been there for a significant amount of time, were given $2,000.

Webco says they had more than a million dollars total to distribute to their employees, many of whom are in Sand Springs.

“The tax cuts and jobs act reduced corp tax rates, so that produced a significant amount of savings this year for Webco as our corporate tax bill was reduced,” said Mike Howard with Webco Industries.

These were one-time bonuses and impacted employees in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, and Michigan. — March 7, 2018 News on 6 article excerpt

STERIS Corp. (Michigan location in Lake Orion- Steris IMS) — $1,000 bonuses totaling $7 million for non-executive U.S. -based employees:

Like many companies, the recent tax reform in the U.S. will result in significant additional earnings for STERIS to strategically grow our business and return value to Customers, employees and shareholders. One of our first actions on that front will be a one-time special discretionary bonus of $1,000 to all U.S. employees other than senior executives. — Feb. 7, 2018 STERIS press release excerpt

AT&T — $1,000 bonuses to 6,199 Michigan employees; Nationwide, $1 billion increase in capital expenditures:

Today, Congress approved legislation representing the first comprehensive tax reform in a generation. The President is expected to sign the bill in the coming days.

Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T* plans to invest an additional $1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus to more than 200,000 AT&T U.S. employees — all union-represented, non-management and front-line managers. If the President signs the bill before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays.

“Congress, working closely with the President, took a monumental step to bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the industrialized world,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. “This tax reform will drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs. In fact, we will increase our U.S. investment and pay a special bonus to our U.S. employees.”

Since 2012, AT&T has invested more in the United States than any other public company. Every $1 billion in capital invested in the telecom industry creates about 7,000 jobs for American workers, research shows. — Dec. 20, 2017 AT&T Inc. press release

T.J. Maxx – 41 store locations in Michigan – Bonuses, increased retirement plan contributions, parental leave, enhanced vacation benefits, and charitable donations:

The 2017 Tax Act benefited the Company in the fourth quarter and full year Fiscal 2018. The Company expects to continue to benefit from the 2017 Tax Act going forward, primarily due to the lower U.S. corporate income tax rate. As a result of the estimated cash benefit related to the 2017 Tax Act, the Company is taking the following actions:

Associates

-A one-time, discretionary bonus to eligible, non-bonus-plan Associates, globally

-An incremental contribution to the Company’s defined contribution retirement plans for eligible Associates in the U.S. and internationally

-Instituting paid parental leave for eligible Associates in the U.S.

-Enhancing vacation benefits for certain U.S. Associates

Communities:

Made meaningful contributions to TJX’s charitable foundations around the world to further support TJX’s charitable giving. – Feb. 28, 2018 The TJX Companies Inc. press release excerpt

Fifth Third Bancorp  – 210 locations in Michigan; Nationally $1,000 bonuses for 13,500 employees and base wage raise increase to $15:

Newly passed tax legislation includes a reduction in corporate tax rates designed to spur economic growth. Carmichael said the tax cut allowed the Bank the opportunity to reevaluate its compensation structure and share some of those benefits with its talented and dedicated workforce.

Carmichael said the higher wage is an important step to help support individuals, their families and the communities in which we operate. Fifth Third has a history of investing in its 18,000 employees.

Once the legislation is signed into law, nearly 3,000 hourly employees will see their pay increase to $15 an hour. The one-time $1,000 bonus is expected to be distributed by the end of the year, assuming the president signs the bill before Christmas. Senior managers and executive leadership are excluded from this compensation.

“It is good for our communities, employees and Fifth Third Bank,” [President and CEO Greg] Carmichael said. – Dec. 20, 2017 Fifth Third press release

Best Buy — 41 stores in Michigan — $1,000 bonuses for full-time employees; $500 bonuses for part-time employees. Over 100,000 employees will receive bonuses:

Best Buy is the latest major corporation to hand out bonuses to its employees as a result of the recently passed corporate tax reform.

In a letter sent to employees Friday afternoon, CEO Hubert Joly said full-time employees will receive a one-time bonus of $1,000 and part-time employees $500.

All permanent employees who are not on an existing bonus plan will receive the additional funds. The bonuses are expected to show up in their paychecks this month.

In all, more than 100,000 of Best Buy’s 125,000 employees in the U.S., Mexico and Canada are slated to receive the extra payouts.

In addition, Best Buy is making a one-time contribution of $20 million to the Best Buy Foundation to help further expand its teen tech centers and Geek Squad Academies across the U.S.

“Our goal was simple: to say ‘thank you’ to more than 100,000 of our employees and help accelerate our work to bring much needed technology training to 1 million underserved teens a year,” said Jeff Shelman, a Best Buy spokesman. — Feb. 2 2018, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Home Depot —70 locations in Michigan — Bonuses for all hourly employees, up to $1,000.

Dollar Tree, Inc. (Multiple locations in Michigan) — $100 million investment in pay increases, enhanced benefits including maternity leave for qualifying employees, and employee training.

etc..

For the complete accounting visit ATR’s Michigan list directly and regularly.

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